Scan Polishing

Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside

Friday, January 21, 2022 at 11:46 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Many pilots find view-limiting devices can make instrument flying more challenging than actual IFR conditions, attributing this to distracting peripheral vision and obstructed internal cockpit views, which surprisingly enhances training effectiveness.
Rigid "personal minimums" are questioned by experienced pilots who advocate for nuanced decision-making based on specific conditions and risk mitigation, rather than strict adherence to conventionally taught limits.
The "dive and drive" approach for non-precision approaches is largely superseded by vertical guidance in modern aviation, with strong warnings against the dangers of descending below the MDA prematurely, especially for general aviation pilots.

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I read your article, “Polishing Your Scan: Our Top Five Tips” (December 2021), twice. As always, it was well-written and thoughtful. I have to say my experience with view-limiting devices seems to be the opposite of that suggested in the article. Compared to flying with a view-limiting device, I find it easier to maintain precise parameters when I’m actually in solid IFR or in a simulator/AATD with zero outside visibility. In solid weather, all of a pilot’s attention is on the instruments.

I’m a CFI-I and I’ve noticed that my instrument students also maintain better parameters in the zero-zero world of the AATD compared to flight with a view limiting device. Secondly, I find that the outside peripheral vision available with a view-limiting device is often a negative. It can be a distraction that degrades the instrument crosscheck somewhat similar to flying under a cloud deck with ragged bottoms.