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Can You Bust the Rust?

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot, returning to instrument training after a 13-month COVID-induced break, faces challenges during a lesson in actual instrument conditions with a new instructor at an unfamiliar airport.
  • During the flight in a Piper Arrow with a "Frankenpanel," the autopilot is found to be inoperative, and a NOTAM indicates the approach lighting system for the planned ILS approach is out of service.
  • Despite these issues and the instructor being distracted, the pilot takes initiative to request a more suitable ILS approach based on updated weather.
  • As the pace quickens and workload increases, the pilot's "rust" becomes obvious, highlighting the difficulty of the situation.
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Your last flight was 13 months ago, the coronavirus having curtailed your flying activities. Safely vaccinated, you’re itching to get back in the air but there are no instructors available where you normally fly at your home ‘drome. Instead, you have booked a few lessons with a new instructor quite a distance away at Van Nuys, CA (KVNY), an airport you’ve not seen in several years.

The FBO has some rentals to choose from … but, like you, they haven’t flown very much recently either. Your first two lessons are in a Cessna 172RG and you’re able to knock off some rust with takeoffs and landings and some air work. You feel good about getting some sky time and, anticipating a chance to make some of those COVID-delayed aerial outings with the family, you want to get some practice in actual instrument conditions.

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