Into the soup - Heavy IFR Flying

[@paulmartos7730]

During my instrument training my instructor -- Doug Niester --- made me wear a hood, blinding me to anyhing but the instrument panel, even before I lined up for takeoff. The takeoff was under simulated zero-zero conditions; I saw nothing of the runway at all. After navigating the airspace system and setting up for an instrument approach at an airport several hundred miles away he said, "Look up". I did and saw a runway directly in front and below me. It was a great illustration of how successful and safe an all-intrument flight and approach could be.

[@thelastrebelshow1627]

Then the alarm clock went off and you woke up in a puddle of piss and had to go back to your pathetic reality working at Jack-n- the Box . 😹

[@strawberrycough22]

@@thelastrebelshow1627 Huh? Why?

[@lobosolitario-j4c]

SOP training.

[@athgt6630]

What kind of instrument training was that simulating 0 RVR? Was it cat3 operations?

[@toddhardin9508]

Without cat3 how do you keep an airplane on the centerline without seeing the actual runway? Reference to just instruments do not give you a point of keeping centerline while you are still on the ground thus the reason for minimums prior to landing unless once again you were flying an airplane equipped with cat3...was this military aircraft?

[@chuckfrezzel348]

I like this guy. He stays on point no matter what the conditions are. Great job!

[@rty1955]

I remember my first IFR lesson in a C-172. There i was flying above the clouds, sun was out, white clouds beneath me, flyng straight & level and my instructor yelled at me "what the hell are you doing?" I said "flying east, maintaining altitude" again he yelled "What they hell ARE you doing?" I replied "I'm FLYING'" He said "look at your instruments!" I looked down at my instruments and everything appeared normal EXCEPT for my attitude indicator was indicating I was in a 15° right roll angle. At first I was puzzled, then I leveled the plane as per the attitude instrument. He said "you know what you are seeing out the window????" Then it dawned on me. I was seeing an actual cold front coming from the north. Because cold air is heavier, it was pushing the left side of the clouds UP on an angle!! He said "never trust your body, always put your life in the instruments" from then on his words ALWAYS stuck in my head... He was an ex military instructor and pished me and the plane to their limits all the time. He was one of the BEST instructors I ever had. He also said "never take a single engine plane in IFR, your asking for trouble. If you are flying and get into IFR, just be safe and put it down". He enforced the "get-there-itis" thoughts that a lot of pilots die from. He would say "you don't NEED to be anywhere." I obtained my IFR rating and used it lots of times when I was flying and would see the coastal fog rolling in. I knew that most times my destination airport would be IFR in a matter of moments and even though I could see the actual airport, I was too far out to contact them and I knew I was going to be in fog shortly. I knew the area very well, so it was a matter of flying in actual IFR that I need the rating for. One if my lessons I was in a Beech King air flying back from Buffalo. Heading south into the very busy NY area we got into IFR, rain showers, thick clouds etc. Obviously I was on with ATC and was flying great, and then we had to fly out over the ocean, make a turn and descend. We were headed fro KFRG (Farmingdale, NY) as I got to the fix over the ocean, the sky was dark and raining. I got onto the localizer and began my final decent into the airport. We were cleared to land. I could not see ANYTHING in front of me except darkness & rain. I was white knuckled and PRAYING I was not going to slam into am apartment building or something. I kept coming down as the instruments were indicating. Setting up for landing, flaps, props, gear, etc) just a few feet above minimums I saw the the approach lights!! We broke out of the clouds ans the runway was right in front of me! We landed perfectly. Seeing your runway after those conditions we very welcome indeed! Very rewarding

[@rty1955]

@@paultruesdale7680 you can, but two engines are better

[@dr.chrisketo7193]

Probability of engine failure is twice as high in a twin engine than in a single engine…

[@rty1955]

@@dr.chrisketo7193 duh, two engines, twice the statistical failure. However you forgot one important aspect. There are TWO engines. You lose and engine on a twin, you can put it down safety. You lose your ONLY engine, it becomes a disaster and there digging you out of a firey mess. Two engines = more safety Now ask yourself "do I REALLY need to be in IFR on a single engine?"

[@driftspecs13]

Spatial disorientation has killed many a cocky pilot. Always trust your instruments.

[@rty1955]

@@driftspecs13 thats why you have great instructors that can instill that in a student

[@snwboardn21]

Great flight, love how you handled that takeoff delay in a professional, calm and concise manner of asking the other aircraft to state their intentions.

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

Thank you for watching

[@maesc2001]

I thought I recognized the plane 😊 Loved to fly that back in the 80’s and 90’s ✌️

[@HavocStylesJoe]

Love the split screen between the instruments and out side view of the windscreen.

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

Thank you.

[@cameronwick]

As a long time and avid flight simmer, and student pilot, this video had me enthralled 3 minutes into it. This video does a great job at illustrating some of the lesser thought of aspects of being a pilot and working within regulated airspace. I can recreate much of what I see here in the aviation KZbin world in the simulator: descent rates, angles, procedures, etc. But getting to see the nuances of the more lack luster logistical aspects of aviation is just as valuable if not more than the fancy "check this out" content. A+

[@flycrew]

Didn't even realize this was a relatively small channel until the video was over. Great content!

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

Thank you.

[@swtexan6582]

Will Ferrell as a PIC 😁

[@PBR.StreetGang948]

I need more cowbell. Explore the space

[@lobosolitario-j4c]

Nah, will ferrell is ugly!

[@Mike4444x]

The drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers as PIC 😂

[@alessio272]

He certainly doesn’t act as silly as Ferrell.

[@garysherwood3136]

Enjoyed the video. Very familiar with your products after working as an instrumentation tech. in a pulp mill for 42 years.

[@salomon3343]

Flying IFR great video nerve of steel..

[@Aonexia]

By the numbers.... Nice!

[@showbizvet]

nice flight... been to that airport, good memories

[@victorcovarrubias3606]

Great job gentlemen.

[@oxman1834]

The field testing video on there website is great!!!. I have only ever used a refractor to check specific-gravity of battery acid or the freeze point and boiling point of antifreeze.

[@flyifri]

I found this a little more intense that it should have been. The causes of confusion at departure was inexcusable on all counts.! Never let anything that appears problematic progress beyond reason and authority, all the way through to the gate at landing. Thumbs up on this one.!

[@midlifeflyer]

More annoying than intense.

[@alexanderdavidson7837]

What part was inexcusable?

[@Piper63180]

Nothing wrong here…by the book.

[@bernardanderson3758]

Charley Alpha Aviation I miss flying with you guys in my favorite aircraft the Piper Panther 🐆

[@craigbmm4675]

good work guys .. interesting departure

[@bernardanderson7569]

I'm looking forward to getting my IFR rating so I'm riding along with you both

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

We do a lot of IFR flying. Good luck on the rating.

[@100clagman]

:Nice panel, I’m scanning the steam gages and the pilot side. I dig the new stuff.

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

Thank you. So far the G600 Txi has been a nice addition. Our old plane had triple aspens.

[@miamirules101]

The fact is you pulled it off!!

[@bernardanderson7569]

Great flying

[@shevetlevi2821]

Near the end of my PPL training my instructor had me do a simulated zero-zero takeoff under the hood. I just kept the ball and DG centered and much to my disbelief reached rotation speed, pulled back and cleared 100 feet.

[@bernardanderson3758]

Love the sound

[@stephenhayes3788]

Didn’t check NOTAMS (closed runway) before you left? Got the ASOS at destination and landed with a tailwind. Unstable (way low) approach. I understand the reason some people think putting the flaps up after touchdown is a great idea but it’s a very bad practice messing with anything before clearing the runway. Might put the gear up someday. Tough one to explain. FAA watches KZbin also. Safe travels.

[@bretyoung1869]

Great job 👍🏽🇺🇸

[@mb3_media]

Amazing skills!

[@thatguy8005]

The best IFR flying in a small plane is right above the cloud layer. The top of the cloud layer was right at 7000ft, my cruising altitude.

[@sethflight]

Great Video, first time view and now a subscriber.

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

Thank you for watching and subscribing

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

Thanks for the recorded flight MY FLIGHT NOTES: Piper Navaho Cumberland Regional Airport. Clearance IFR runway 23 heading, 5000 - 7000@ 10 min swak 2135. ATIS; scattered 2600 BRK 3000. 124.32 Cleavland Centre. 4500 wind 300 cancelled IFR runway 5 back taxi.

[@steamboy101]

Not to pick on anyone, but did the airport not put out a NOTAM for the runway closure? That's a recipe for a bad day especially if you needed to make the approach to minimums that day.

[@jaykay6412]

Andrew Verdouw I thought the same. Kind of not a big deal or anything. Landing on a closed runway

[@steamboy101]

Agreed!

[@pdutube]

"Caution wake turbulence, departing paint equipment."

[@kenliszewski1960]

At 13:30 they called the approach with a circle to land 23 due to runway closure so likely saw a notam or advised during wax brief

[@thatguy8005]

I don’t mind, as long as it is a newer plane and we’ll equipped. I flew a Cirrus SR20 for the first time into 400 ft ceilings. It was a good solid 5500 ft layer through Atlanta’s airspace. Would not have done it in an old Cessna. A new one, maybe.

[@nicholasdimperio4233]

With wind 300 why did you choose rwy 5? Doesn't that give you a tailwind landing? Perhaps I heard it wrong.

[@marioqwerty5145]

Nicholas Dimperio I came to read the comments to see if someone else caught that

[@kibz2005]

likewise

[@jaykay6412]

Soooo didn’t check notams I take it?

[@ooberzoobersober]

I heard and thought the same as you all.

[@haroldomara473]

@@kibz2005 .

[@ronbennett5591]

Hi There Great Video thanks . Like the earlier guy asked why did you take 05 when the wind was from 300 ? Crosswind and a tail in one ?.. greetings from the UK

[@richardperry21]

Sorry to say but did not look Hevey IFR to me?? May I ask Why do you keep your hand on the Power levers after V-1 ???? is that normal???

[@igclapp]

In a piston twin, if you lose an engine right after takeoff and before gear retraction you may have no choice but to chop power on the remaining engine and put it back down on the runway because continued takeoff on one engine may not be possible. So you want to keep your hand on the throttles. In a jet you take your hand off the throttles at V1 to remind yourself that there is normally no abort after V1 because the jet has enough power to continue the takeoff with one engine inoperative.

[@richardperry21]

@@igclapp I flew PIC that a/c PA-31-350 for NEA Airlines out of Las Vegas in 1980, and it would climb fine on one, even in the extreme heat, I understand But to me it's a bad habit. Good Video!!

[@Bigfoot46555]

Strictly a "student" question here, but hearing what I thought were winds out of 300 as you were making your descent into Bradford, they gave you 5/23 as your only option. What/why was 5 the better choice for a crosswind landing when 23 would have meant even less crosswind and a little more headwind? Just brushing up from my ground schooling. Thanks!

[@snava3923]

You are correct

[@cactusforever7198]

the call seqance speed alove , v1 vr 2 take off posituve rate of climd gear up lol

[@murftasticav8241]

Nice Video, don’t know that copying your clearance while taxing in reduced visibility is a good thing to teach others, but to each their own. Fly safe bud.

[@jjsifo1]

That was nice! real deal...

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

Thank you

[@bernardanderson3758]

I always asked for higher in light chop turbulence

[@jcims]

Born in Bradford many moons ago. Hopefully you get to stop back in when the leaves are turning. I've been to a few corners of the planet over the years and it's always funny to see souvenir Zippo lighters with local insignia then flip them over to see 'Bradford, PA' stamped on the bottom.

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

Very nice area and we have a good customer in the area. I’m sure we will be back.

[@stevec6723]

Bradford PA is a challenge in the winter

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

We can imagine.

[@danmccarthy2213]

damn that was in the soup!

[@jpalmer999]

that's the first controller in a while that I've heard say tree and fife.

[@tectonicD]

Would that be considered rude that the citation didn’t immediately let everyone know he had canceled his flight plan? Seems like common courtesy?

[@davidpartridge9459]

Rude and very unprofessional I would have thought or get his radio fixed! Hope he offered to pay the Navajo pilots lunch, just to cover the extra running costs!

[@JohnBaleshiski]

If winds were at 300, I would have thought 23 would be better from a strictly wind perspective. What factors were in play to make 5 a preferred runway? You clearly have more experience than I do, just trying to gain insight.

[@eaglegrip6879]

runway 3 is closer to the ground than all the other runways. 😂

[@pboothus]

He was SE of the airport per radio call and the wind was 320@5. that would make 5 the best choice, PLUS ATC advised bad weather N of field.

[@petesmith9472]

A rather smart Navajo compared to many of the kennels I’ve seen

[@frederickking1660]

That citation was a pain

[@outabeat]

Damn those were some seriously big rain blops on the windscreen on final.

[@alejandrogodoy4696]

I would have liked to Hear ATC from A to Z. But Thank you 👍🏼

[@larrylewislarry]

Is it a thing in the US to start a radio transmission with the word “and?”

[@sethflight]

I'm guessing that vox needs a starting sound to make sure all is heard. And.... that's my best guess!! lol

[@Windtee]

It isn't a thing. Most of us don't do it, but some do. My guess is, one started saying it and it spread. Appending "and" out loud is probably symptomatic of a continuation of thought/action. It isn't standard, but not a big deal.

[@Incognito-vc9wj]

I sometimes use “and” when I’m amending a current request or announcing the next stage of an action. Like after engine run up checks..“..and 94 foxtrot’s ready to continue taxi to runway”

[@abdulsaboorraza6691]

larrylewislarry and...... I think yes

[@shanelodge391]

I’ve flown with pilots all over the planet that do it. Poor RT but usually unintentional.

[@dantellewisham133]

The PA31s I flew never looked like that! All analouge and a Garmin.100!!!!! ONE HUNDRED NOT 1000 hahahahaha

[@airplanegeek893]

That was a scary departure takeoff

[@jparanica]

He needs to really work on his take off procedures and learn to use the center line when landing:(

[@markmartin9346]

Scary?

[@markadams7328]

Nice video! One (odd) question: How many flights actually fly at the 'second altitude after 10 minutes'? All clearances give 2, yet I have never flown it that way in 30 years. Does this part of the clearance need to be changed and simply one initial altitude - assuming all other altitudes will be as directed by ATC? Seems like it would be easier for ATC and pilots?

[@kurtreber9813]

A few faux pas but very interesting flight.

[@alessio272]

I’d check the Notams for icing. Don’t think there’s any deicing or anti icing on that plane.

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

This Navajo is FIKI.

[@alessio272]

@@CharleyAlphaAviation my mistake some Piper Navajos have FIKI. Deicing boots are not designed for continuous heavy icing only to get thru a layer. What’s the blue line on that aircraft at max gross?

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

104 knots

[@chuckchuck8319]

@@CharleyAlphaAviation pitching for blue line is very risky sir

[@2xl830]

Pitot heat appears to be in the off position Why ?

[@bernardanderson7569]

I'm familiar with Johnstown Approach Control

[@bernardanderson7569]

Hold that Center Line !!!

[@ctn830]

would have been nice to hear ATC comms

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

Carm N all ATC comms are recorded except when we were on the ground because that was through a Bluetooth connection from the PIC headset and phone. The copilot cannot hear them either. Recording them would be more difficult with our set up since it was over a phone and not through the airplane’s audio. Honestly not sure how to do that without a stand-alone Bluetooth connection. Currently the PIC Bluetooth is built into the head set.

[@erbenton07]

We call it the"Pacific North-Wet"

[@jim7082]

I know it's been four years but hopefully, you can tell me about your throttle procedure in this Navajo... You advanced the throttles slightly, reached up, moved an overhead switch, put your hand on the prop control and mixture, then went back to throttle and slowly advanced to full throttle. All total it took twenty-one seconds to reach full throttle. How much runway did you use and is this the recommended procedure for this converted Navajo? Thank you

[@HB-cc6gi]

I don't understand that either

[@jeffdo9195]

The only time you can pick IFR clearance in the air is if you can take off VFR and maintain VFR until you pick up your clearance

[@bernardanderson3758]

Don’t let this Covid stop you both to getting back together

[@bcflys]

I enjoyed this ride along. I do have a question however....why do you have (2) Transponders in your stack?

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

When we did the upgrade to the electronics and added the ads b transponder we just kept the old one as a spare.

[@toddhardin9508]

My wife and I left Alabama going on vacation flying our plane upto Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada. On the return flight over Detroit, MI and talking to Detroit APP at 10:00 pm at night ATC advised me that they had lost me and would I kindly cycle my TX, I cycled it and it came up with a failure error. Would have been nice to have had a backup tx like N476AB has....and that's the reason he kept the second tx. We landed just east of Detroit and it took us 7 days to get another tx shipped to us before we departed for home.

[@billr8667]

No written checklists?

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

There is a checklist on the visor.

[@bernardanderson7569]

Looking like you guys are in a Mike Jones Navajo

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

Mike Jones did the avionics upgrade, extra fuel tanks and new motors. The original panther modification was done before that.

[@bernardanderson7569]

Great now you have to wait for Departure IFR Clearance until he cancels or receive

[@zsoltszabo6482]

Today I learned Will Ferrell is a pilot and has tattoos.

[@therealhuman919]

No complex or multi experience here. On t/o does your power stay back on the roll? Also love that panel

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

Power was full during take off.

[@willieb6993]

Who’s PIC ?

[@randymcmeekin1955]

Ricki Bobby can fly!

[@bernardanderson7569]

Panther

[@pdutube]

Yeah, sweet.

[@VMXGroove]

Just floor it man. Keep it pegged all the way up and out. Anybody gets in your way, just roll right over them.

[@747driver3]

Will Ferrel!

[@bernardanderson3758]

I don’t like when you are ready for IFR release when others don’t cancel after landing

[@michaele1278]

Well tht's not airmanship. There are lots of either selfish, or clueless pilots like that out there.

[@stevejones6621]

Great video! I would have been saying "what the hell is this guy doing ".

[@rustusandroid]

I'm gonna try that my next IFR... Just start my turn, then tell ATC about it.

[@muriuwangai3617]

Nice video Charlie alpha, but it would be better to do, or have a short recorded "see around" for this Navajo so as to familiarize all with this plane outside look in the beginning of the video, and also have a camera dedicated to showing aileron and flap position both wings throughout the flight, props over the cawlings, and possibly a camera close and dedicated to flight instruments so as to follow thro with pilot inputs etc. I like it very much when Brad takes out one of the cameras to show us around, sometimes the props, etc. It's so spectacular when due to prop speed against camera shutter speed, blades appear stationary during power changes on t/off and landing. We would also need to routinely see MP, FFlows, Mfds info with a camera sweeping across the panel, and it looks like we are all on board. How about a remote Bt camera safely tucked underwing or below the tail section? It could give a spectacular views for gears in transit as well as the groundview. Occasionally, view us whatever else possible. We Soo much appreciate your kind effort you put into this and for allowing your following to fly along without asking for anything in return. Wish you safe flight always. Upcoming and former seasoned aviators do well to keep current in these situations you encounter like your patience dealing with an ignorant citation pilot. Cheers.

[@colez6366]

If operations are being conducted out of a controlled facility, doesn’t atc have the responsibility of closing the flight plan immediately after landing?

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

Citation didn’t land. He never took off.

[@davidpoulin6961]

Enjoyed the video. Great professionalism. One question: on verifying gear down what is it you say after "three green ..."?

[@midlifeflyer]

"One in the mirror." Some retracts have an external mirror mounted so the pilot can visually confirm the gear is down. Often it only shows one of them, usually the nosegear.

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

Midlife flight is correct. One in the mirror. There is a small mirror on the engine that allows the pilot to see the nose gear.

[@Bridgecityyall]

Three green means landing gear is down.

[@sib615]

We in Russia call it "into the milk".

[@chuckchuck8319]

do not pitch for blue line, fly 10 above that. leave yourself a buffer

[@sgtdave9617]

We don't need no stinking IFR... To us IFR stands for In Flight Refueling.,. ;* ]

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

Lol. Always though it was I follow roads.

[@bertobones7182]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@juliojames5986]

Soup or Gravy …… thanks

[@rfriesen1644]

You phone is connected to your headset via bluetooth? or?

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

We connect to the headset using Bluetooth.

[@rfriesen1644]

@@CharleyAlphaAviation thank you

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

Our current headsets have built in Bluetooth. We have also used the blue link adapter for older headsets.

[@rfriesen1644]

@@CharleyAlphaAviation Are you happy with the blue link adapter?

[@CharleyAlphaAviation]

It works well. The are some drawbacks, but they aren’t that big of a deal. Things like, one more set of batteries to carry, the headset connects into the blue link then into the plane, so that’s another connection and makes for longer cables. We prefer the headsets with built in Bluetooth, but if you have a nice set and wanting to add, the blue link works well.

[@larrylewislarry]

“Giving you a flash?!?” Anywhere else in the world we’d say “Wilco”.

[@Zoo1820]

"giving you a flash" or "here comes the flash" is lingo for IDENT when pilots think they're cool

[@TRPGpilot]

@@Zoo1820 its anything BUT cool . . .

[@Zoo1820]

@@TRPGpilot hahahaha yes meant to imply that

[@gavinsingh4450]

Why don't you just stop the airplane when copying a clearance, or have the other guy do it? CRM, utilize your resources.

[@Jay-po4kh]

SAYING SAME THING AGAIN AND AGAIN