On Jan 29, 2:20*pm, Dudley Henriques
wrote:
On Jan 29, 8:33*am, gpsman wrote:



On Jan 28, 8:57*pm, Bug Dout wrote:

gpsman writes:
Practically, I think you have to train and remain proficient in IFR..

Eh? Not at all. Even in Seattle or such areas there are plenty of VFR
only pilots. Weather clears up in a few days. *Cross country trips are
very much possible strictly VFR.

Of course, the above assumes flying for a hobby. *Flying for
committments and deadlines, yes, IFR is necessary to be safe...or
safer.

I've given the wrong impression. *An instrument rating is my personal
standard of practicality/proficiency/saferness... that's tied to my
bank account.

I've accumulated 500 hours, over 34 years, and I'm just never
comfortable because I know I'm not really proficient.

So, I think I know more about the rust that forms from not flying than
I do actual flying, but the economy has put me 6-7 years from being
able to comfortably invest the time and money my definition of
proficient requires.
*-----

- gpsman

The proficiency factor vs the economy is definitely a player in the
flight safety area.
Quite frankly I'm surprised that there haven't been more instrument
proficiency related incidents and accidents due to decreased aircraft
use in the GA community.
It's absolutely a serious consideration that every instrument rated
pilot should be both aware of and concerned about.
Dudley Henriques

I'm guessing PICs with not much recent experience are simply
monitoring their autopilots as the electronics and servos fly the
airplane. The likelihood of electronic failures are pretty low. I get
my kicks hand flying the airplane most of the time, but suspect that
is not so common among us business owner/pilots these days. It could
also be there's less IMC or night or IMC and night flying these days
in the complex SEL crowd, although I don't hesitate to fly night IFR.
The fact is, if it's to solid minimums I'd rather fly a precision
approach at night.

Question for the other instrument rated pilots (assuming there are
more than a few of us still around) don't you agree a night approach
to minimums is easier than a day time one? So long as you don't turn
on the landing lights until out of the clouds of course.