RK Henry wrote:
IFR training in actual is different from training under the hood, or
even worse, a simulator. The hood or simulator can substitute for
clouds when no clouds are available, and a simulator may be helpful to
the spatially impaired, but a student who hasn't been taken into
clouds at least once has missed some important lessons. Even better
would be going into clouds under difficult conditions. Pity the newb
who has to face thunderstorms or ice alone for the first time, though
I have to wonder how an instructor could legally and safely devise
such a lesson.



My first actual experience with a thunderstorm came when I had all of 1.4 hours
of hood time and a private license. I was flying a Cherokee Six down to Florida
one Friday night and was occasionally flying through little clouds... just a few
seconds worth at a time. I knew I was supposed to stay away from them but it
seemed harmless enough; like I said I'd be in and out again in just a few
seconds. No problem.

Then I flew into one that lasted longer than a few seconds. All of the sudden
all hell broke loose. It was all I could do to keep the wings level and not
lose control. I have no idea what my heading was or anything else; all I was
concentrating on was keeping the wings level. It was truly a preview of hell.

Almost as quickly as I was in it, I flew back out of it. I no longer had any
idea where I was and was totally flustered. I ended up getting a DF steer into
Dublin, GA, where I landed and regrouped. Jesus, I have never been so scared in
my life.

Anyway, I managed to complete that flight down to Panama City. Coming back, I
got stopped by widespread IMC and was quite inconvenienced. I started my
instrument training the next week.

Here we are 30 years later and I've flown through several cells in that time.
They still scare the hell out of me but sometimes you get what you get. That's
the price I sometimes have to pay to fly in the southeastern United States when
there is IMC about. I try to stay well clear but you don't always know what's
in the next patch of clouds. The embedded ones are the worst for sneaking up on
you.

Anyhow, that was my first experience in actual IMC. Made quite an impression on
me!



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
mschnerdatcarolina.rr.com