Time for some approaches

lancie00

lancie00

Line Up and Wait
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lancie00
I just got my IFR last fall and although I've been flying more, I haven't done many approaches. As I got to looking, my currency runs out this Sunday!!! I can't believe it's been 6 months since my check ride. The good news is my pilot dad says he has time this weekend to go shoot some approaches. Nothing like practice, practice, practice.

Are you weekend warriors current or do you just get an IPC if you think you might need it? I've been trying to stay current but just don't like the ice we get this time of year.
 
I'll also be doing approaches this weekend for currency
 
Not enough IMC down here in Florida to stay current (for me anyway). If I care enough about it I'll do an IPC annually with simulator time to renew currency if necessary. Otherwise I just skip it.
 
Just did some sim time to re-set the clock as the plane is getting painted.

Usually I’ll have to augment a couple approaches with a safety pilot from time to time to stay current. I don’t mind the training so it works for me. I may incorporate regular sim training with approaches as well.
 
I did three in actual a week ago, was going to do some today, but some T-storms in the forecast so decided against it. Good time of year for actual in North FL. Definitely need to do more than the minimum 6 in 6 months to stay proficient.
 
here's how I'm fixin to bust out 6 approaches plus a hold or two:

upload_2020-2-20_18-57-53.png

RNAV 16 KAFP
RNAV 24 KPYG
RNAV 8 KCQW
HILPT
RNAV 26 KCQW
HILPT
RNAV 6 KPYG
ILS 34 KAFP
 
Usually IPCs for me. I don't typically get enough actual approaches in IMC in 6 months. But that's fine. I usually learn something new or different each IPC, especially if one uses different instructors.
 
I had my instruments checkride early winter and haven't flown IFR since so I'm currently grappling with how I will keep current.
 
We've had a lot of IMC here but this time of year that means ice.
 
IPC, but the place I rent from has an AATD now, so I did 4 approaches last week, probably do 4 more this week and then go once a month if I don't get actual in.
 
I just did 3 of them 2 weeks ago. Purposely went to a field with a tower that I don’t usually goto. Especially if wearing hood take the time to go someplace different. I realized I got used to the same approaches and made a silly mistake doing an ILS at a different place. Fortunately it was a good mix of IMC too.
 
Caramon13 said:
Not enough IMC down here in Florida to stay current (for me anyway). If I care enough about it I'll do an IPC annually with simulator time to renew currency if necessary. Otherwise I just skip it.
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You guys are so lucky. Here in AL we just have clouds all the time. I have had to reschedule my Instrument check ride twice due to bad weather!
 
steviedeviant said:
You guys are so lucky. Here in AL we just have clouds all the time. I have had to reschedule my Instrument check ride twice due to bad weather!
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Yeah, that sucks for sure. I took my checkride for instrument at night actually because the weather is vastly better when things cool down. In a way it was also like doing it in actual since FL becomes a black hole at night in certain parts of the state.

I sometimes think it would be great to live somewhere just above the sunbelt, maybe still in the southeast. Virginia, or western area of the Carolinas, maybe Tennessee where it's semi-mild and you have some better weather options and possibly more IMC opportunities. The sunbelt is just no fun.

FL is great for VFR flying up until about April-ish, but we're a lot like AL most of the year. After April it's hit or miss until after summer, like around August. We get thunderstorms and rain that rule out any flying mid-afternoon in the middle of the state unless you just enjoy rolling the dice or dodging cells. If you live on either the mid-east or mid-west coast of the state it works out pretty well if you are doing a lunch run or early dinner as long as you stay on the coast. I've done runs down to KAPF or REALLY short trips to KSPG or KGIF/KLEE in the summer. The heat SUCKS, however there isn't a lot of issue with weather. Just really bumpy at low altitudes.

The ONLY time of year I can get any decent actual IMC time is from about December until end of March and it's usually during the week and not predictable, so no way to plan for it and since it only happens in a small window there's no way to maintain currency.

I know it may sound unbelievable, but all this CAVU weather and these bright blue skies are downright annoying. FL sucks...
 
Caramon13 said:
The ONLY time of year I can get any decent actual IMC time is from about December until end of March and it's usually during the week and not predictable, so no way to plan for it and since it only happens in a small window there's no way to maintain currency.

I know it may sound unbelievable, but all this CAVU weather and these bright blue skies are downright annoying. FL sucks.
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Then there's Colorado. Three weeks mid-May to mid-June when there might be a few days with flyable clouds. Except for those, the only actual I got in 20 years was...


... in Florida.
 
midlifeflyer said:
Then there's Colorado. Three weeks mid-May to mid-June when there might be a few days with flyable clouds. Except for those, the only actual I got in 20 years was...
... in Florida.
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Funny how that is the opposite of FL hah..we DO have excellent IMC here WHEN it happens..I just wish it was more frequent.
 
Costal California is good for light piston IFR. Fog layer usually around 800 ft, no icing worries. Pretty consistent during the summer.
 
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