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VFR Pilot, Instrument Rated

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The article categorizes pilots into VFR, VFR pilots with an instrument rating, and true instrument pilots, emphasizing that merely holding the rating does not guarantee proficiency or confidence in IMC.
  • VFR pilots with an instrument rating often lack the consistent practice and confidence to regularly fly in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), leading to skill decay and hesitancy.
  • True instrument pilots possess the consistent skills, extensive experience, and sound judgment to safely operate in diverse weather conditions and make well-reasoned go/no-go decisions.
  • Becoming a true instrument pilot necessitates continuous flying experience, regular practice in benign IMC, utilizing the air traffic control system, and mentorship from experienced instrument pilots.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Recently I realized that there are VFR pilots, VFR pilots with an instrument rating, and instrument pilots. Which are you? Reading this, you are more likely to be in the latter category, or at least in the middle but aspiring toward the latter. Let me explain.

We all know what VFR pilots are. They’re the ones with the 172s, Cherokees, Mooneys, Champs, Cubs and such who only bring their aircraft out of the hangar on the good days. They never learned to fly in weather and perhaps they don’t want to. That’s fine, as long as they understand that and never risk the common VFR-flight-into-IMC accident scenario.

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