Severe-Clear IFR?

After earning my instrument rating, I took my CFIIs advice to heart and have filed IFR religiously on virtually every flight since my checkride eight years ago. I do it because I noticed that I am more tuned up for IFR flight than I am when flying VFR. My preflight planning is more thorough and my cockpit is more organized.

Editorial Staff

Monday, May 16, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Routinely filing IFR, even on clear days, enhances pilot proficiency, improves preflight planning and cockpit organization, reduces stress, and ultimately makes for safer operations in all weather conditions.
While "climb and confess" can be an antidote to scud running, pilots must exercise caution regarding potential dangers like icing or terrain, with a 180-degree turn often being a safer alternative.
When facing strong, gusty crosswinds, pilots should avoid exceeding their aircraft's demonstrated crosswind component, utilize the full runway width, adjust approach speed, and be prepared to divert to an airport with a better-aligned runway if conditions are too challenging.

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May’s article on filing IFR on a CAVU day, “To File, Or Not To File,” makes some good points, but I think the best reason for filing IFR has nothing to do with what’s happening outside the aircraft. I’m a fairly low-time pilot—with about 500 hours—so maybe I notice big differences in small details more than a seasoned pro who doesn’t remember what it was like to fly before their instrument ticket.

After earning my instrument rating, I took my CFII’s advice to heart and have filed IFR religiously on virtually every flight since my checkride eight years ago. I do it because I noticed that I am more “tuned up” for IFR flight than I am when flying VFR. My preflight planning is more thorough and my cockpit is more organized.