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Surviving VFR into IMC
VFR into IMC events have a distressingly high fatality rate. Here's why they happen and some strategies for surviving based on research into reports from pilots who successfully handled the challenge. (www.avweb.com) More...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Excellent piece. Take a look at the other videos following 178 seconds.
While at CLE ARTCC we participated in a program called "Operation Raincheck" designed to acquaint private pilots with the air traffic control system. One of the instructors did a demo with a rotating stool and an upright stick. The person on the stool was to bend over (while being rotated) and then sit upright to a condition of no forward vision. Then they had to move the top of the stick in the direction they felt they were turning. After the stool had come to a complete stop they would indicate a right motion then an left motion--all while already immobile! It was a great illustration of the fluid motion in the inner ear and how spatial disorientation occurs.
Wonderful article. Saving this for sure.
The article does not mention the use of an autopilot or basic wing-leveler. If the aircraft you're flying has one, that is your best bet to accomplish the 180 back to the VFR you just came from. Remember, it does not give you the ability to press on or go lower in hopes of remaining VFR. In that case, you are asking to become a CFIT statistic.
I did this once as a C-150 soloed student pilot 48 years ago. Uncontrolled airport, the sky above was blue, but I ignored the cloud bank off the departure end of the runway. In the soup, I did as instructed, eyes on instruments, maintain climb attitude, and popped out into VFR in less than a minute. At the time I thought it was no big deal. My instructor both berated and praised me (and maybe patted himself on the back).
That reminds me of an event as a Private Pilot Student on My First Cross Country SOLO a long time ago... No A/P or Wing Leveler of any kind. Flight Service advised that there was beautiful weather with unlimited visibility and no chance of weather... UGH.. that should have been my first clue on a nice June Week Day. My flight to my destination went picture perfect. Landed, took about a 30 minute break to relax and double check my weather for the return trip home. Again all looked great. I filed my flight plan (as always), departed on my return trip. I was flying at 5500' and all of a sudden I notice that it was getting very black in front of me about 40 minutes from my Destination. I could not descend because mountains were over 3800' and had nice towers on top of them. I contact approach (who by the way was in VFR conditions). I requested Special-VFR and because my destination was VFR Conditions they could not approve but helped as much as they could. (Not trying to brag), but using my Avionics Experience I put all my trust in my instruments and ATC got me in. I finally got on top of the storm (14,000) in a BeechCraft Sundowner. I finally got over my station (KROA) at 14K and they were surrounded, but total VFR. I spiraled down through the hole and shot a perfect approach only because of a departing a/c who lost a fuel cap on take off (that was all I needed by this time). Came around and made another good approach...
My instructor met me at the plane when I arrived and said I did a great job that he was monitoring me along the way.... Not an event I want to try again, but I sure that I had all my Avionics knowledge and trust... It saved me that way as well as the Good Lord Above.
My instructor met me at the plane when I arrived and said I did a great job that he was monitoring me along the way.... Not an event I want to try again, but I sure that I had all my Avionics knowledge and trust... It saved me that way as well as the Good Lord Above.
I had one inadvertent vfr to vmc on a solo flight during training. I was in a gentle turn. Suddenly the whole view in front was all white. I immediately switched over to instruments. Continued to turn gently using the AH while maintaining altitude and speed. In a short time i was out in clear skies again.