Training in Actual IFR Can Be Good for You

There's no rule that says you must fly in the clouds, but, if you need to, an instrument rating will allow you to do so legally and safely.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 11:36 AM ET

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Having an instrument rating can give you more confidence in the airplane and can also reduce your insurance costs. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Gaining actual flight experience in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) is emphasized as critical for both instrument-rated pilots and instructors, despite potential training limitations at some flight schools.
An instrument rating significantly enhances a pilot's capabilities, offering increased confidence, the legal ability to fly in IMC, potential insurance benefits, and is a prerequisite for flight instructors.
Successful instrument flight requires developing a disciplined instrument scan, managing sensory inputs like the initial "bump" into clouds, and continuous proficiency to handle complex IFR procedures effectively.

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“Get on the gauges, you’re going to feel a little bump.”

These were the words of my CFII (certified flight instructor-instrument) the first time he took me into the clouds. He is ex-Air Force and taught me to fly the AF way. The acronyms MARTHA, the UPs and the 5Ts were all part of my training—as was going in and out of clouds. “Nothing but water vapor!” he declared. We always double checked the temperature because flying through a cloud in freezing conditions would turn us into a Cessna-cicle or Piper-cicle in a hurry, something we wished to avoid.