VFR For IFR Pilots

Its an interesting phenomenon: As student pilots, we master VFR traffic patterns in just a few hours. After earning the private, we work on our instrument rating. Initially, nothing is quite so nerve wracking as a difficult approach. Then, our careers progress and we land that big job. IFR becomes old hat-we can shoot that approach without a second thought. In fact, we get so used to "vectors to final" that we get the shakes flying a VFR traffic pattern at a small airport on a nice day-something we mastered thousands of hours ago. What causes this odd reversal and what can we do about it?

Key Takeaways:

• Experienced instrument pilots often struggle with basic VFR traffic patterns, a skill they mastered as students, due to over-reliance on instrument procedures and autopilot use in their advanced careers.
• This "odd reversal" is caused by complacency, a lack of dedicated planning for VFR entries, and insufficient practice of fundamental visual stick-and-rudder skills, especially in high-speed turbine aircraft.
• To mitigate this, pilots should meticulously plan VFR pattern entries with the same rigor as instrument approaches and actively increase hand-flying time by disengaging the autopilot whenever safe and appropriate.

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