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:

Filing IFR even on clear days enhances pilot proficiency, improves preflight planning and cockpit organization, reduces stress, and ultimately leads to safer operations by keeping pilots "tuned up" for instrument conditions.
While "climb and confess" can be an antidote to scud running, pilots must exercise extreme caution and consider factors like cloud tops, icing, and terrain before climbing blind into clouds.
When facing strong, gusty crosswinds, pilots should avoid conditions exceeding their aircraft's demonstrated crosswind component, utilize full runway width, carefully manage approach speed, and be prepared to divert if conditions are beyond their ability.

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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.