IFR rating?

"Bill Denton" wrote in message ...
A question, if I may...

Bob Martin stated: "I don't think I'd really be able to make
use of it--our plane isn't IFR equipped, and probably won't be for the
foreseeable future."

While he didn't directly indicate if he flew a plane he owned, a club plane,
or something similar, I gathered there was some sort of "ownership"
involved.

Yes... it's my dad's plane; an RV-6 whose only additional instruments
beyond minimum for VFR are a turn indicator, nav radio (built-in VOR
display; actually part of a nav/com radio), g-meter, and Garmin 196.
There's just an empty hole where the AI goes. I usually fly every 2-3
weeks (when I'm home for a weekend) or when I get longer stretches
(like this summer; I'll be commuting to school instead of living on
campus).

Also, when I said "try" for it, I meant that I didn't know if I'd be
able to get it in four months (ie, over spring semester). I can't
start earlier or go later since I'd have to go back down to Savannah
for work, and I definately can't afford it there. My private took me
about a year (though only 42 hours) between weather, work, school,
9/11, and money. And the only reason I'm considering it now is that
the flying club at Georgia Tech is much cheaper than any FBO or school
I've seen, both for aircraft rental and for instructor time.
Something like $60 for a 172, or $78 for a 172RG. "Advanced
instruction" is $23.

It's worth remembering that in order for an Instrument Rating to be used, you
need to meet recent experience requirements. It's not like riding a bicycle,
where once learned, it's automatic.

Unless you're going to file IFR and fly in the clouds, I strongly suggest you
invest in hood time so you can get out of trouble should you find yourself in
IFR conditions. I think, unless you are flying 150 hours a year or so, you'd
likely not be current.

Having said that, I can tell you that SEL flying, especially at night, under
IFR is a heck of a lot easier than VFR, regardless of condtions. I mean, think
of this, coming into your tower controlled home base, being cleared for an ILS
approach which probably means, unless it's a dreaded 'circle to land' a
straight in from 5 or 6 miles.

That was the point of my rambling anecdote...get some serious instrument
training, whether or not you intend to go on to the rating. The hood time
for the private really doesn't prepare a pilot for the situations s/he is
likely to encounter.

Bob Gardner

"tony" wrote in message
...
It's worth remembering that in order for an Instrument Rating to be used,
you
need to meet recent experience requirements. It's not like riding a
bicycle,
where once learned, it's automatic.

Unless you're going to file IFR and fly in the clouds, I strongly suggest
you
invest in hood time so you can get out of trouble should you find yourself
in
IFR conditions. I think, unless you are flying 150 hours a year or so,
you'd
likely not be current.

Having said that, I can tell you that SEL flying, especially at night,
under
IFR is a heck of a lot easier than VFR, regardless of condtions. I mean,
think
of this, coming into your tower controlled home base, being cleared for an
ILS
approach which probably means, unless it's a dreaded 'circle to land' a
straight in from 5 or 6 miles.