Having the instrument rating opens up a wide range of options for planning and completing flights our VFR-only brethren cant make. But the instrument ticket usually is not a piece of paper allowing go-anywhere, anytime capability, especially when used with most personal aircraft. Often, however, the same flight can be completed safely by staying VFR. More planning may be required, and youll likely be busier than if you went IFR, but safety isnt likely to be compromised. Here are some reasons you might want to stay 288
When Its Too Bad For IFR, Go VFR
Having the instrument rating opens up a wide range of options for planning and completing flights our VFR-only brethren cant make. But the instrument ticket usually is not a piece of paper allowing go-anywhere, anytime capability, especially when used with most personal aircraft. Often, however, the same flight can be completed safely by staying VFR. More planning may be required, and youll likely be busier than if you went IFR, but safety isnt likely to be compromised. Here are some reasons you might want to stay VFR, and ways to do it safely.
Key Takeaways:
- Instrument-rated pilots may choose VFR in personal aircraft to avoid strong headwinds by flying at lower, more efficient altitudes not typically available under IFR.
- Choosing VFR can enhance safety and comfort by allowing pilots to stay below in-flight icing conditions or to visually navigate around widespread air mass thunderstorms.
- VFR flight provides greater flexibility for direct routing, helping to bypass restrictive airspace (e.g., Class B, MOAs) that would otherwise necessitate circuitous IFR routes.
- In challenging terrain, VFR allows flying at lower altitudes than high IFR Minimum En Route Altitudes (MEAs), potentially improving performance and passenger comfort in personal aircraft.
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