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:

• Highly experienced IFR pilots can become complacent and anxious when flying basic VFR traffic patterns in complex aircraft, having grown accustomed to instrument-guided approaches and autopilot use.
• This decline in VFR proficiency is attributed to a lack of specific planning for visual patterns, over-reliance on advanced instrument skills, and insufficient "stick-and-rudder" hand-flying practice in their current aircraft type.
• To overcome this, pilots should meticulously plan VFR pattern entries (considering winds, traffic, and terrain) similar to IFR briefings and actively increase their hand-flying time, reducing autopilot dependence whenever feasible and safe.

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