I fly a lot of IFR year round and a fair amount of actual IMC during the winter, but not much in the summer. Like everyone else, Ive heard the wakeup call from Center in that unmistakable tone that says, “Were not amused that you think flex-altitudes are in use today…please get back to 5000 feet. Now.” 288
Making Practice Count: IFR Self-Critique
I fly a lot of IFR year round and a fair amount of actual IMC during the winter, but not much in the summer. Like everyone else, Ive heard the wakeup call from Center in that unmistakable tone that says, "Were not amused that you think flex-altitudes are in use today...please get back to 5000 feet. Now." That sort of thing may be a minor mistake, but if you add up enough minor mistakes, youve got a trend and that could lead to something ugly. The 24-month flight review and instrument proficiency checks are supposed to correct the inevitable decline in skill for those of us who dont fly much, but there may be a better way.
Key Takeaways:
- To counteract the natural degradation of IFR piloting skills, the article recommends a disciplined and continuous self-review process during every flight.
- This involves dedicating 10-15 minutes to critically assess performance in various flight segments (e.g., climb, cruise, descent, approach) and documenting areas needing improvement in a notepad.
- Such proactive and honest self-assessment helps pilots maintain precision, prevent complacency, and foster a higher standard of professionalism and safety.
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