On Aug 17, 9:21 am, "Viperdoc" wrote:
It sound like your trip would have been a lot easier IFR- if you have the
rating, why didn't you file?

Obviously, once I found the wx was not as predicted it crossed my
mind... Though it may have seemed easier IFR I doubt it would have
been safer... It was forecast for scattered CB - though we never found
any... IFR would have put me inside the layer for 3 solid hours and
embedded CB is one of the tricks that the Great Lakes loves to pull -
don't ask how I learned that, let's just say it was up close and
personal...... If IFR had been the only way to get there I would have
filed...

The other issue is that I have flown these routes routinely for a long
time - a dozen round trips this summer... The terrain is flat... I
have a GPS with obstacle warnings... I was comfortable with the
visibility between layers... Because of the scummy ceilings and
drizzle the only VFR activity I heard was the odd student doing
circuits and bangs at a couple of airports along the way... It really
was a no sweat ride for me... A low time pilot who is unfamiliar with
the lakes might not have agreed... it is all in your comfort level...

denny