Staying current/proficient

On Jan 30, 1:49 pm, "Peter R." wrote:
On 1/30/2007 1:26:15 PM, Kevin Clarke wrote:

Open question to folks, what strategies do you use to stay current or
better yet, proficient?


Now that I have my IFR ticket, "good flying days" are those where you
have a stratus layer with a ceiling. Depending on where you are, file
IFR, go out and do 3 local approaches. Try to mix it up...ILS, LOC,
VOR, etc. I think you'll find that most controllers are more than
happy to help you get in some practice with an approach, go published
missed (after a T&G), then do the next, go missed, land at home. No
need to land and get a new clearance after each approach. You can log
3 approaches in a little over an hour. Until you get some real time
in your logbook, set your personal ceiling limit at 2000, 1500 or some
other comfortable level. DON'T fly down to minimums in real IMC the
day after you get your ticket!

If you live in Arizona or some place else where you have "severe
clear", you'll have to rely on foggles and a safety pilot. But try to
avoid that. Its not the same. I live on the east coast and have
plenty of opportunity to shoot practice approaches on weekends in the
muck.

Always fly IFR to your destination even on nice days. While not
loggable, it will help keep you in practice with comms and
navigating.

Good luck!

--Jeff