Flying to work in BAD WEATHER: Single-Pilot IFR

A short #flight in #imc , busy #airspace and with an instrument approach. Come along on this #IFR hop to Northeast Philly, as I commute to work to beat the 2-hour traffic on the road. A step-by-step view of getting an IFR clearance from a non-towered airport, then a short and intense flight with moderate turbulence, IMC and a GPS approach. Hope you enjoy and thanks for watching!
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*DISCLAIMER*
I'm NOT a Flight Instructor. My videos are edited for entertainment purposes only, and several procedures, including checklists and radio calls, may not be shown. For training videos, please refer to FAA-approved materials or a Certified Flight Instructor.
Legendas em Português disponíveis // Portuguese captions available

[@danielbasovitch5087]

Nice short flight Bruno, you know your plane so well, smooth dead center landing. BRAVO.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you, Daniel! One of the perks of ownership: knowing exactly how your plane flies and what it needs :)

[@aviatortrucker6285]

It’s great experience and it’s fun to be up in the soup. However, your approach doesn’t count for logging purposes because you broke out before you cross the final approach fix under IMC. I’ve been in that situation flying in hard IMC only to break out 100 feet before the final approach fix.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Yep, you’re right! I couldn’t log that approach. Was still fun to build some actual IMC time though!

[@taniabauer4841]

Thanks dear for all informations 🙋🏻👏👏👏🤝☺️☺️💖🤗🤗

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you Tania! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@taniabauer4841]

@@FlyWithBruno For sure dear. I am a curious old watcher for Everything about big and shorts planes🙋😅😅🥰

[@midlifeflyer]

I was wondering whether they were actually going to vector to final. As soon as they said, "direct EPECU" and I looked at the chart, my immediate reaction was I would have asked for KABKE. Even if they did vectors to final, it would not have saved much time and would ultimately be easier for me. And less work for ATC - it almost seems they forgot about you since you ended up with a tighter turn than ATC guidelines would suggest and the downwind-base-final usual vectoring procedure you were expecting. Great job handling it.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you, and I totally agree with your assessment. If this happens again, I’ll definitely ask to go to the Initial Approach Fix instead. Much simpler. The more you fly, the more you learn :)

[@lee.schulz]

Great and informative flight, Bruno. Thanks for bringing us along!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Glad you enjoyed it, Lee! Thank you!

[@TurningFinalOfficial]

Excellent work Bruno. Single pilot IFR is no joke, regardless of experience.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thanks, man! 🙏

[@Wookierabbit]

I would have never accepted that initial approach from Control. Go Around, deny the clearance, and request to be vectored in again.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Fair enough

[@LRobichauxIV]

Agree with the comment. Either I would have immediately asked for another fix or I’d have nicely made an excuse to check in before I got that close. Approach is busy, they’re human and I’m sure they never intended to give you the turn that late.

[@EtiRats]

Agreed, unless the controller had a master plan to deliberately take you through the inbound track, that was an unrealistic turn on to finals. That said, there are often reasons for controllers doing what they do because they have a different traffic picture to we pilots, and sometimes need to accommodate accordingly. Either way, it’s really helpful to pilots if the controller finds time to briefly explain the intent, eg: November123 turn onto heading xxx taking you through the inbound course expect re-intercept from left / right of course….. Can’t speak for the States, but in Europe this is often done and helps share the mental model. The other no-no displayed by the tower here is transmitting instructions during your landing roll. Not so much of an issue for a light aircraft maybe, but with bigger multi-engined aircraft this is recognized as bad practice, there’s just too much going on in the cockpit at that time. Nice video, well handled short flight, thanks Bruno.

[@GrummanCheetahPilot]

Gotta finish my IFR - Great Flying Bruno

[@FlyWithBruno]

It's SO worth it, man! And the Grummans are awesome in IFR. Go for it!

[@smacfe]

Awesome! I commuted every day from KSNA to KVNY. A great way to sharpen you for a day’s work and the perfect way to clear your mind at the end of a busy day.

[@FlyWithBruno]

That’s awesome! And I absolutely agree: it’s a therapy pre and post-work. Even if it’s a short flight, it’s so worth it. Thanks for watching!

[@shockwave538]

In the middle of studying IFR procedures right now, so this was well timed and helpful.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Im glad! Good luck on your IFR!

[@RetreadPhoto]

Nice flight, good use case for the instrument rating. Excellent landing. Well done. I just flew it in sim under similar conditions and route, just for fun. Btw, ARD shows up as a VOR/DME on the VFR Sectional and IFR Low Enroute charts. If you sensed that turning to 300 was going to be tight once he cut you to EPECU, you could also be proactive and ask for a vector more to the left to keep spacing from the approach for a safer turn. What does “via one single-turtled airspace” mean? I imagine that was “via once in controlled airspace” but it took 2 times to figure it out. Lost some enunciation with the speed there, luckily clearance person knew what you were saying. 😉

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thanks so much! And yes, that was supposed to be “once in controlled airspace”. Apologies for my not-so-great English 😄 As for the approach into PNE, you’re right: I should’ve asked for the first fix or an earlier turn. Lesson learned there!

[@TheDesertRat31]

When you got told to turn on final before the EPECU way point, could/should you mention to the controller you want to take a wide turn because you weren't conformable with the sharper turn? Or, could you call them a little earlier to ask about an upcoming sharp turn, and see if you were kind of forgotten about?

[@FlyWithBruno]

Yes to both! In the moment, I just figured I’d extend the turn and re-intercept the final approach course from the other end without the need to clog the frequency. But in event I’m in the same situation again, I’d be proactive and request starting at the initial approach fix (vs EPECU). Thanks for watching!

[@PaperPilotJack]

Hi Bruno, just noticed that you nose wheel fairing might be angled to the left. Might just be the camera angle, but might be worth checking out.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Hey Jack! You’re right. I already got it fixed, the bolts needed to be readjusted

[@libertine5606]

Start by not calling it "the soup" and use "IMC". Having your own plane gives you have many opportunities to train. One is to be ready for weather and not have the burden of going somewhere or having passengers. If you can leave from your airport and find a area with 0/0 to practice missed approaches. You may not have a area like that but where I live there are mountains between me the ocean and I could fly over the mountain and go to a major airport when there was a thick marine layer. This was great because the commercials couldn't even attempt the approach. I would keep a eye on the weather and if a marine layer was forecast I would practice the whole flight on MS flight sim with night and snowing so that I would have to do the whole flight IMC. And then do it again and again. Then in the morning, if the marine layer was there I would get a early start to do missed approach training in actual IMC. In route I would have every controller advise me that KSNA was 0/0. Which is exactly what I wanted since missed approaches are usually a high risk/low frequency scenario. This also has the safety benefit that if you feel very comfortable with going missed you are less likely to try to go below minimums. Another way to get more training out of your plane is to fly at night. If you have a area that doesn't have a lot of lights, we have a lot of desolate desert here, so I would fly out to some of the little airports with approaches and do those. Sometimes at midnight on no moon nights. A lot of the IFR danger comes from lack of recent experience in the different scenarios we can encounter. This is why I use the Gordon Graham High Risk/Low Frequency model. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZichqasbZd2mrc And as Embry/Riddle found out we are more rusty than we think we are.

[@FlyWithBruno]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@gainesmartin4949]

Just ask to go direct to the initial approach fix next time, no harm done regardless of their response. Get what you want.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Very true!

[@BrianSiskind]

As a fellow Trio Pro Pilot AP user, would love to see an in depth video on it. I have enjoyed it and it has so many great safety features as well, but I have not been comfortable enough with it yet beyond basic GPSS, alt/hdg hold, etc.-- have not been using it for climbs and descents. No instructors are familiar with it either, and documentation is convoluted at best.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thanks for your comment, Brian! I haven’t done an in depth video on it just yet because we’re still working through some issues with the Trio. I have a lot of footage on the installation, test flights and more, and that video will be out as soon as it’s working 10/10 so I can demonstrate its capabilities!

[@BrianSiskind]

@@FlyWithBruno awesome man look forward to it

[@keltron172]

That's some skillful flying! Would love to see more IFR content like this!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you! I’m definitely keep them coming!

[@tsilikasp]

Subscribed. Keep them coming.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you so much for the support! 🙏🙏🙏

[@Richard-xe1it]

Hi Bruno…. Someone mentioned your panel. Is that the Avidyne PFD along with a IFD 540? I’m looking at either the Avidyne or G5’s to go with the G430 I have already. Also, which autopilot do you have?

[@FlyWithBruno]

Hey Richard! I have the Aspen Evolution 2000 system and the Avidyne IFD550 GPS. I really like them, been flying with this setup for over a year and it’s solid!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Oh, and my autopilot is the Trio Avionics Propilot. Also very solid!!

[@mattsoliday6380]

I have a tiger, what is the tablet and case you use on the left?

[@FlyWithBruno]

It’s an X-Naut mount for the iPad mini 5, with a special ball mount made by Bob Reed for the Grummans!

[@crufflerdoug]

That was quite a turn he gave you there!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Yep, it was! Haha Lesson learned!

[@stealhty1]

Nicely done Captain, Muito Obregado estou em XLL

[@FlyWithBruno]

Hey 👋🏻! Thank you, and good to know! That’s south of ABE right?

[@damaquina]

Que pouso foi esse senhor!!!! kkkk, nem gastou borracha. TOP!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Hahaha valeu mano!!

[@CitizensInvestigator]

Good video! Do another one ☝️

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thanks!! New video drops tomorrow!

[@matheussouza8881]

Super cool video!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you, Matheus!

[@meb8128]

Nice IFR panel in that Tiger! Great job and excellent landing “right on the centerline”!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you!! 🙏

[@thomasj4090]

Nice Edit !

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@All.american.timepieces]

Great video, what is your setup for avionics?

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you! I fly with an Aspen Evolution 2000 (PFD+MFD), Avidyne IFD550 and a Trio Autopilot. Thanks for watching!

[@aviatortrucker6285]

To give you an idea how hard it is to maintain currency. If you don’t fly professionally in the soup, I obtained my instrument rating back in 1989. I have a total time of about 6 1/2 hours of actual instrument flight. I am current, as I obtained my IPC back in March 2023 and have been flying most of my IMC work in a Redbird simulator. Living in the Midwest, you don’t have the luxury of too much morning fog or low clouds. You have two flavors out here. Icing or thunderstorms depending on the season. Most of the time you break out of the soup well above the height of the final approach fix so you cannot log it. I feel comfortable enough to go down to at least 100 feet above minimum on all approaches. I practice drive and dive as well as precision. I still practice localizer back course and NDB/VOR approaches with old navaid equipment, since I’m a renter as well as RNAV and ILS. The cockpit automation is new to me in the last two years, but I have gotten proficient with it and still getting nostalgic trying to fly with steam gauges. Just remember to fly within your capability and not try to go over your head and you’ll do fine.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thanks so much for your comment! I agree with you: staying current is very different from staying proficient.

[@karihardarson1234]

Were you not the only pilot in the area? I ask since no other voices were heard. Or - does tower sometimes allocate a special frequency to a specific plane?

[@FlyWithBruno]

No I wasn’t! But it was a pretty quiet day.

[@lechstryzewski9350]

Awesome flight ... OUTSTANDING landing !!!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you! 🙏

[@cyrouskhavari969]

Nice instrument flying. I have always been a believer, it doesn't matter how much experience, you have, or how many hours, as a pilot, there is always opportunities to learn from other people experirnces.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Absolutely! Thank you so much!

[@jimsherman8665]

Pretty busy for a 25 minute flight. PS: Did you take this job, just so you could fly to work? 🤣

[@FlyWithBruno]

Yes, but don’t tell anyone! 🤫😂

[@socalpilot4222]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing. Always looking forward to your videos

[@FlyWithBruno]

Means a lot, man! Thank you so much!

[@roxiworldny]

The folks at NE Philly are so great. I had a flat tire there and they were very helpful. Wonderful video and perfect length.

[@FlyWithBruno]

They really are great!

[@gabrielperalta3889]

Amazing🔥 God bless you Bruno in the mighty name of Jesus❤️‍🔥‼️

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you Gabriel! 🙏

[@barrycurtis1303]

That was a perfect flight Bruno! Very nice video and commentary!❤Thanks!!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you, Barry! 🙏 Glad you enjoyed it!

[@anthonyb4913]

Great video! My first IFR post check ride was to KPNE 3 weeks ago.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Awesome! Congrats on your IFR ticket!

[@mtherr]

Talking IFR training lessons now. I thought I was a good pilot before, but this training is giving me a new sense of humility. With a thin cloud layer, plenty of space underneath the clouds and easy way out on top, I think this is the ideal « stay current » or learning flight. Hope to see similar conditions to practice this summer (now we are still in freezing season).

[@FlyWithBruno]

Yes, IFR training definitely makes you more humble! I’ve been taking small steps, and every pilot will eventually find their own pace. Fly safe and good luck on your training!

[@deansiracusa3966]

Excellent video! I’ve been instrument rated since 2004. It’s so nice that modern technology has greatly increased situational awareness, and added so many more precision approaches.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you Dean! Technology is amazing these days. And all in the name of safety 🙏

[@mrsaskriders]

I'm quite an avid flight simmer. And I really appreciate videos like yours. I love it how you explain things and show things visually. Because it really helps and understanding all the procedures. I have just under fourteen hundred hours and fly on vatsim and talk with real Virtual controllers. Msfs thx

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you so much for this comment, I really appreciate it and I’m glad you enjoy the videos! I try to be as thorough as possible with my explanations and procedures. I was also an avid flight simmer for a long time, even before Vatsim was around… I find it amazing how flight sim evolved graphically and also how amazing it must be to talk to real controllers when you simulate. Thank you for watching!

[@robertohornungfilho119]

Great Video Bruno. IFR Single Pilot is no joke. You are at the top of your game.👏👏👏

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you, Roberto! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@NealHill0]

Punching holes in the sky, one cloud at a time ➕💯‼️ Excellent!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Nothing like getting a free plane wash! 😄

[@bernardanderson3758]

Love this type of flying and to copy clearances in the air isn’t fun unless you have a auto pilot

[@FlyWithBruno]

Im with you 100%! Autopilot is a life saver haha

[@jadeng1147]

Got my IFR 2 weeks ago! I can't wait to fly some solo actual!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Congrats!!

[@ThomBesch]

Thanks for the video Bruno. I am a low time IFR pilot also. Please keep sending us these IFR trips.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Glad you enjoyed it, Thom! I’ll keep them coming :)

[@FarkyDave]

Really cool video. That was a very smooth landing.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you, Dave! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@harveyfollmer8484]

That was a PREFECT landing Center etc. 💪👍

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thanks, Harvey! 🙏

[@pilotwasif]

Great video, lots happening in a short amount of time, bravo.

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you, Wasif!

[@3naap]

More content like this is much appreciated Bruno!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Glad you enjoyed, Richard! I’ll keep them coming!

[@Karlschiffer1]

Bruno, excelente voo e a cereja foi o pouso. Greetings from Germany

[@FlyWithBruno]

Danke, Karl! Greetings from the USA!

[@joemahan311]

Awesome video!! Great to get your perspective

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you, Joe!

[@PilotDiggerdavid]

YOu flew right over South Jersey Airport, my home airport!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Yes! The GPS 33 puts you right over KVAY!

[@PilotDiggerdavid]

Didn’t you see me, I was waving!

[@obalobastic]

Nice Landing!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you!

[@stevediaz5750]

Sweet Landing!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you!!

[@iceking1905]

Great video

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you!!

[@mikeBlinthicum]

Great job!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thanks Mike!

[@SoCalFlights]

eu gosto do português cc 😁

[@FlyWithBruno]

Dá um trabalhão incluir, mas fico feliz que vale a pena! Tamo junto! 👊🏻 🇧🇷

[@drbobby101]

Excellent vid Bruno!

[@FlyWithBruno]

Thank you, Bob!

[@yurimoros]

Dear friend Could you help me with videos 1- you have 2 360 on board … no one is connect with sound and the one you have in the ceiling is NOT too … so where you connect the sound ? Also the 360 that you have can you connect them with audio I can’t with mine … for sure that is why those 360 that you have in the cockpit are not connected because is not possible to get sound for 360 Also wish software do you use to down load and editing… Last question how or with what software you use synchronized the SOUND and how you do it COULD YOU MAKE A VIDEO HOW YOU DO YOIR VIDEOS LIKE SERIES OF VIDEO HOW YIU DO IT

[@FlyWithBruno]

Hey Yuri! I recently made a video about all of that, I think it has all the answers you’re looking for. Check out the channel!