insane IMC

"Napoleon Dynamite" wrote in message
ups.com...
[...]
I think this is insane, but how can one build actual
IMC experience without getting killed? Am I toying with my life in a
172 with no onboard weather equipment? Am I going to get more
confident? How many hours of actual IMC did YOU require before you
could relax and think clearly in the soup?Any thoughts appreciated.

Yes, it's insane. As Mortimer says, just be patient and more reasonable IFR
weather will come along. I have even seen fog in the summer in North
Carolina, and certainly by the time September or later comes around, you
should start to see your fair share of stratus (whether low-level fog or
just overcast) in which to fly.

Don't go around flying near thunderstorms, or in IMC when you don't know
*for a fact* that there are no thunderstorms nearby. The apprehension
you're feeling need not be overcome. Listen to it, and stay away from those
thunderstorms.

Now, that said, you will on occasion find yourself flying in bumpy
conditions without a risk of thunderstorms, and that does add to the
workload a bit if you're IMC. But it won't be nearly as stressful as what
you're doing now, and once you've exercised some patience and gotten some
IMC experience in smoother weather, the bumps (without thunderstorms) won't
seem so bad.

Pete