Personal Minimums SEL?

-----Original Message-----
From: paul kgyy [mailto Posted At: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 9:12 AM
Posted To: rec.aviation.ifr
Conversation: Personal Minimums SEL?
Subject: Personal Minimums SEL?

I'm curious what Instrument Rated members of this group use for
personal minimums for takeoff and landing for single engine aircraft.

The question is prompted by a recent flight where the takeoff
conditions were 200 ft + 1 mile. That's lower than I've ever done
before, and it occurred to me that if I had any significant engine
problems, it was all over unless I was extremly lucky.

Since I fly to please myself now instead of some employer, and since
I've got a LOT greyer on the roof my personal minimums have definitely
changed. 35 years ago, I resented having to depart zero/zero because I
needed the job and there were too many unemployed pilots willing to take
it. I also only did that about a dozen times before I found a new
career. (That's why I can afford to fly now.)

Today, I like options. Published minimums make me sweat too much
(remember I'm older now) so I don't even like them for departures any
more. I personally don't care how many fans are turning because if
anything happens unexpectedly I don't want to have to work that hard to
save my butt.

I think I like published alternate minimums for departures with no
cumulo-granite in the vicinity. Of course departure and approach
minimums might have to get higher after an extended period of time away
from the clocks.

I'm sure others who fly every day and have a great personal intimacy
with their aircraft will depart in conditions in which I would prefer to
sit and drink coffee, but then I don't fly every day and I know from
experience that no matter how much of a first name basis you're on with
that fan up front - it will quit on you some day.