Six Single-Pilot IFR Tips

There was a time not so long ago that a single pilot flying hard IFR was considered an accident waiting to happen. There was simply too much going on, conventional wisdom held, for one pilot to handle all alone. Instrument pilots contemplating a flight in actual weather actively sought out others-perhaps an instructor-who could help with the cockpit chores and make sure the dirty side stayed down. Except for the freshest instrument pilots, thats all changed. And good riddance. Ive long been convinced the second most dangerous thing in aviation is two pilots trying to fly the same airplane at the same time (the first is a private pilot with a #2 Phillips screwdriver, but thats a different article). But the idea of single-pilot IFR, or SPIFR, being something to avoid seems to have hung on in some quarters. Sure; theres a time and a place to take along some backup, depending on how comfortable a pilot is with the weather, the airplane and the airspace. But Id argue against making the flight in the first place if the only way youd consider it is with another pilot. Be that as it may, advances in automating the cockpit have paved the way for much more SPIFR than only a decade ago. Thats a good thing, in my opinion, but also means our lone pilot needs to prepare for the flight a bit more than might otherwise be the case.

Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside

Monday, November 24, 2008 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Single-pilot IFR (SPIFR) is now considered feasible and safe due to cockpit automation, challenging older conventional wisdom, but requires enhanced preparation and pilot proficiency.
Meticulous pre-flight planning is essential, including thorough understanding of weather, airspace, alternate plans, and ensuring all charting information and airport specifics are organized and immediately accessible.
Key in-cockpit gear, such as writing tools, handheld backup electronics, and instrument covers, must be easily reachable and organized, ideally within a designated flight bag.
During flight, maintaining acute situational awareness through active listening to ATC, continuously monitoring dynamic weather conditions, and ensuring ongoing pilot proficiency are crucial for safe SPIFR operations.