On Jul 6, 7:20 pm, "Dan Luke" wrote:
"Andrew Gideon" wrote:
On the flip
side, however, many will also admit that it sucks the life right out of
flying, and many fly an old Cub or Luscombe with a compass and a chart on
weekends just to regain their flying chops.

I've heard this, but I don't completely agree. I like IFR flying, esp. in
IMC. But I'll fly any XC under IFR, even in nice weather. It's less for
the practice (I'm not sure how valuable it is, honestly, in VMC), but more
for simplicity.

Exactly. Many VFR-only flyers envision IFR flying as full of nettlesome
complexity. Actually, the reverse is usually true.

Yes. Especially if you are going to be flying in or near ADIZ's,
restricted airspace etc. Do what you're told by ATC and you'll never
bust a TFR or ADIZ -- or if you do, it isn't your fault. And "doing
what you're told" isn't bad, the controllers I fly with are pretty
accomodating and flexible.

For example, there is a restricted airspace over a major military base
near my airport that frequently requires circumnavigation when coming
fhome rom the south VFR, and also a nuke plant just to the east of
the field with similar restrictions. But when I file IFR, I often get
to fly right through the restricted airspace or over the plant. I also
get some nice views of military hardware flying under me or nearby
during those flights. I never got to fly through the restricted
airspace until I was IFR rated and now I do it routinely, under ATC
guidance.

Also, when flying to the coast there are several restricted areas to
dodge, but I file, go through or around them with ease under ATC and
then once I'm east of the last one, cancel IFR and have a nice VFR
flying day at the coast. ATC is cool with this, when they give me the
usual hint by telling me to "report cancellation on this frequency,"
I reply I will cancel as soon as I am clear of the restricted area/
nuke plant/ whatever, and they understandand are very helpful and
cooperative.

Going to an airport in the DC ADIZ is much easier on an IFR flight
plan too.

So IOW, there is significant utility to the IFR rating besides just
flying in bad weather.