IFR just 5.4% of the time

On Mar 1, 10:11 pm, "Jay Honeck" wrote:


This brings up a whole 'nother aspect of this discussion, which quite
simply asks: Who *wants* to fly IFR?

Flying IFR is almost always uncomfortable. Even when it's smooth, it's
absolutely no fun for the passengers, whose only real reward for
putting up with GA is the view. (Well, and the time savings over
driving, of course.)

I would definitely not describe IFR as uncomfortable, any more than
flying VFR as uncomfortable. Actually, I find IFR in IMC comforting
because I don't have to look for traffic, and I don't have to worry
about busting anyones airspace. Every time I fly VFR through busy
airspaces I am constantly worrying whether I have the right
frequencies for the appropriate airspaces. No such worry under IFR.

The only thing to watch for under IFR is getting into a trap, such as
icing, thunderstorms or very low minimums.

I am not sure about the outside view argument either. There is nothing
to compare with breaking out on top and skimming the tops of each
cloud with clear sunshine above. If you are nice to the controller,
you might even get a block altitude so that you can go do some cloud
popping. Every passenger I flew with loved this. Granted, every IFR
flight is not like this, but every VFR flight is not a glassy smooth
scenic flight either.