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From: ron@r2d2.UUCP (Ron Schweikert)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: Reduced hours for IFR ticket
Message-ID: <128@r2d2.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 17-Jan-86 13:22:25 EST
Article-I.D.: r2d2.128
Posted: Fri Jan 17 13:22:25 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 18-Jan-86 15:00:38 EST
References: <1737@cae780.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: NBI Inc., SOSC Boulder Co
Lines: 52

> The FAA reduced the number of hours required to get an IFR ticket
> from 200 to 125 - do any of you CFIIs have any comments on this ?

As a CFII who has done a lot of instrument work and trained others, this
new regulation (like all) can be good if not abused.  I took my first solo
IMC flight to pick up some friends stranded by weather while the ink on my
instrument ticket was still wet.  The flight though bumpy went fine.  I have
to admit the anxiety level of actual IFR solo was a bit intense the first time.

I don't see any problem with this reg IF YOU CAN REMAIN LOGICALLY CURRENT.
By that I don't mean your six approaches/hours/month stuff.  Unfortunately for
some of these new grads, I fear that their overall experience level may not
prepare them for situations which instructors cannot possibly cover.  Of course
if you spent 250 hours (or 1000) in "severe clear" taking friends to a local
restaurant for lunch etc., then the number of hours you have is moot.  The key
is your actual experience level.  The best instructors are those that teach
their students to be pilots, not airplane drivers.  They must impart to their
students that they now have a license to learn.  Teach a student pilot
aerodynamics, judgement, common sense and the belief that he doesn't know it
all yet, and I believe you probably could have a safe 125 hr. IFR pilot.  Set 
realistic personal minimums while you learn and you should do okay.

My first few flights in IMC I set minimums of 600-1000 ft ceiling with 3 miles
visibility.  Still got a lot of actual.  As I became more comfortable (and 
conditions warranted) I began to lower (slowly) personal minimums.
(Note: These minimums were IMMEDIATELY after finishing my instrument training.
If you're a bit rusty, definately increase these!).  To new 
IFR students, "Don't kid yourself".  Nailing an approach to minimums with a 
hood on and another person in the other seat is (to me) easier than
doing it solo in actual conditions.  You can't cheat!  The pucker-factor is
definately real!  But don't let that stop you. In one instance, it is a bit
easier.  You can relax more, sit up straight and fly like you usually do 
rather than hunched over with a hood and having an instructor critique your
every move.  As you do it more, you WILL become more comfortable
with it.  And as far as I'm concerned, there's nothing more satisfying than
a long cross-country flight in the sunshine, on top of a solid cloud deck
followed by an approach where those beautiful runway environment lights 
appear out of the haze right as you approach minimums.  What a feeling of
accomplishment.

Study hard, concentrate, learn from others, then go out and do it.

You'll love it!

Ron Schweikert

(My apologies for posting, rather than replying by mail.  I hoped this
would apply to other students reading also.  In addition, it is long because
I feel this is an important topic not to be taken lightly or misunderstood.)
Happy Flying!
-- 
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