Unleashing the Capabilities of Light Sport - RNAV Approach to Minimums

The Vans RV-12 is perhaps the greatest all-around light airplane. While Sport Pilots can fly it under light sport rules, it can legally be flown IFR, including IMC, if properly equipped as an Experimental Light Sport Aircraft. The pilot must also have an IFR rating and must be current.
In this video, I file an Instrument flight plan and fly a real world IFR flight with an RNAV approach into KOCF down to minimums. The initial clearance was picked up using a cellphone and calling Orlando Approach control directly.
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00:00 Intro
01:39 IFR Clearance to KOCF
03:02 Bravo Golf Watches
05:02 Takeoff
06:02 Clear Direct
07:50 Class C Airspace
09:10 Approach Brief
10:25 RNAV 36 KOCF
11:55 Landing KOCF
12:47 IFR Clearance to X21
15:26 Re-Route
16:40 Landing X21

[@FloridaFlying]

This RV-12 is an Experimental LSA, so if you are a sport pilot you can fly it under sport pilot regulations. However if you are an Instrument rated private pilot, you can fly it like any other experimental. My operating limitations include IFR flight if the airplane is equipped per 91.205. Follow along as I improve my IFR skills, especially my radio calls! I’ve learned a lot by making and publishing this video and now I have better information for identifying myself to ATC. BRAVO GOLF Timepieces - Discount code FLORIDAFLYING www.flybravogolf.com/FloridaFlying

[@JoeSnell]

Great job on the videos, Are you in Titusville? We are in Willow lakes near the airport.

[@bucketopopcorn8745]

thats so cool i just finished my instrument rating and the checkride scenario was KOCF to X21

[@FloridaFlying]

Nice man congratulations!

[@KLee-su8ot]

Great job! Great video. I wish people would just enjoy the content and restrain themselves from criticizing. We are all learning even if we have been flying for a while.

[@kristensorensen2219]

Constructive criticism is what us CFIA&I's are all about. When the ARTCC controller asks you to ident skip the radio call and just mash the ident button. They will appreciate the reduction in pointless radio chatter and you will look like a pro. Also you really should stop using that auto pilot because it's just a crutch and hand flying is good practice!! Good luck!

[@FloridaFlying]

@kristensorensen2219 yeah I recently had my IPC and used autopilot for maybe 5 minutes. I’m practicing it as a tool for when I move up to larger and faster airplanes. I agree with your advice though

[@SouthernLatitudesAviation]

Pedro, Good job on the graphics and narration. A well put together video! I really enjoyed it. Jack

[@FloridaFlying]

Thank you Jack!

[@carmentate37]

Looked like a lot of fun!

[@Anonymous99997]

Looks like fun. Can’t wait to get my Cert.

[@pachabeche]

Love you man! Keep doing what you're doing!

[@FloridaFlying]

Love you Dan! I need to send you a shirt and stickers for my number 1 fan

[@jetproduction4747]

Pedro your radio calls were perfect. Good to see you still flying and having fun! Come see us at FL58 one day your up near Ocala

[@Tharkunify]

Great video and I love the RV! I'm just too lazy to build one and don't trust buying a used one.

[@1dullgeek]

Fumbling words with ATC? I haven't done that in 2 whole days! (I also haven't flown in those days.) :) Something I noticed on both of your takeoffs. Your rudder was almost fully deflected to the right. I assume that's because you have a castering nosewheel and even before liftoff you are able to put in right rudder. But I was surprised at how much right rudder you use. I fly a Cherokee 235 and my rudder pedals are directly connected to my nose wheel. So before that nosewheel lifts off, I have to apply pressure on the right rudder but anything more than that and I'll steer to the right. And there's this little dance that I have to do as the nosewheel lifts off where I can and have to put in right rudder pretty suddenly. I wonder if I'd need a lot more right rudder if my nosewheel was also free castoring. I'm just surprised at how much left turning tendancy you have to correct for while on the roll with a small engine, while I have a 235 hp engine and don't have to correct nearly as much. Maybe I get some advantage from friction that you don't.

[@wannafly34]

Hey you flew by my house near KSFB :)

[@ronniethepilot]

Great job. Always nice watching your videos. By the way I work out your way and I’m usually hanging around at the airport on my breaks. I’m also a private pilot. Is it possible to meet up sometime just to say hi

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Nice video! Well done on the flying! In the very near future, I plan to take my maiden voyage (in my Zenith) from KOCF across the the Bravo to one of your airstrips along the coast. Maybe Space Coast Rgnl for the breakfast/museum fly-in? Have you been to that fly-in?

[@FloridaFlying]

Thank you! I have not been to that fly in but I hear it’s a good one! X21 also has a great EAA breakfast fly in the first Sunday of every month. I try to go each time. The museum in KTIX is fantastic too. A lot of people go above 4000feet and then you can fly over the restricted R-2910A and B and skirt north of the entire Orlando Bravo. If you need fuel, X23 is a beautiful little stop on your way back to Ocala

[@mhilderbrand7693]

@@FloridaFlying Thanks for the info and tips! Will definitely try the breakfast, too!

[@kevindavis8175]

I didn’t know you can fly IFR in an LSA.

[@f.n.schlub2269]

@FloridaFlying "leaving" is improper nomenclature. "climbing/descending" incorporates the verb. You wouldn't say "staying and climbing", would you? Conflicting verbs. If you are climbing or descending it's obvious that you are leaving. Proper nomenclature is, simply, "N2222V 1850 climbing 4000". That's all. No "leaving". No numerical-sounding prepositions "to" or "for". Also, "Good Morning Orlando Approach. This is RV2222V on the ground here at X21 looking to ..." a) Until ATC truncates your tail numbers, you may not. b) Because ATC is filling out the traffic strip that will accompany your flight from start to finish, first call is the ENTIRE aircraft make and type, and the ENTIRE tail number. ergo, "EXPERIMENTAL Vans RV-12 N2222V WITH AWOS at X21 ground ready to copy IFR KOCF estimated departure 05 minutes Runway 33. Please confirm altimeter." Everything else was very nice, indeed. A last note: When ATC routing can be strange or fuel expensive, depart and climb to cruise VFR, then once you've set your course along your preferred track call for IFR. Florida ATC doesn't have much compassion for fuel costs, so most of my hungry twin and turbine pilots use this trick to save what otherwise can cost them an extra $100 over the usual cost of the hamburger.

[@FloridaFlying]

these are all very good tips, and I think in my next IFR video you’ll see that I will incorporate a lot of these pieces of advice. A lot of my ATC communication comes from listening to what others say, but oftentimes what people say on the radio these days is incorrect. Also, that’s a very good idea for departing VFR and picking up IFR in the air. I would consider doing this on a clear day for sure. So what you’re thinking is to depart, point the plane directly where I want to go and then pick up IFR clearance?

[@f.n.schlub2269]

@@FloridaFlying Along the route you want, certainly. Give a listen to some older "Premier 1 Driver" vids. He does it all the time, especially in Florida airspace, but also around any of the really large hubs. Also, for pure airmanship, checkout Guido Wernicke. He's been certified by the FAA as a "Pilot to Emulate". He started flying rather late in life, and is type rated on amazing number of aircraft. He mostly Ferry Flights planes and jets all over the world. He was also doing vid graphics before Foreflight ever existed.

[@MuzixMaker]

Didn't know there are IFR certified LSA.

[@FloridaFlying]

This airplane is an Experimental LSA, so if you are a sport pilot you can fly it under sport pilot regulations. However if you are an Instrument rated private pilot, you can fly it like any other experimental. My operating limitations include IFR flight if the airplane is equipped per 91.205

[@brandonberg7703]

​@@FloridaFlyingI'm thinking about getting my Sport license/ Certificate then work on getting my endorsements later.

[@wdyahnke]

@@FloridaFlying Question though, can you fly into IMC in an aircraft that is not rated for it? In my research, also wanting to fly an LSA IFR, it seems the engine and airframe will need to be rated for IMC flight. This would include pito heat, and an IMC certified power plant, at least that is what I have found so far. I’d love to see your research, would you mind sharing some links?

[@FloridaFlying]

@wdyahnke read this generalaviationnews.com/2017/04/17/can-you-fly-ifr-in-an-lsa/

[@mediocreman2]

Just curious, why do you say we and us when you're talking on the radio? I don't see anyone else besides you.

[@christophergagliano2051]

Nice video but I think you're supposed to identify yourself as an "experimental" and not as RV

[@FloridaFlying]

In my experience, when I’ve used “Experimental” I often get asked what type. RVs are incredibly popular and ATC knows the type RV. I tend to hear “RV1234” over the radio more often

[@FloridaFlying]

I think the actual requirement is to identify as experimental on the initial call then RV is fine after all subsequent calls. When you file IFR they should see the type from the filed flight plan

[@christophergagliano2051]

@@FloridaFlying fair enough, but you might want to look at your operating limitations as they might stipulate you must identify as experimental.

[@FloridaFlying]

I think next time I’ll try something like “Experimental RV 2222V” on my initial call

[@christophergagliano2051]

@@FloridaFlying that's a very good idea 👍

[@DanFrederiksen]

Terrible that flights are scheduled over phone by humans. Dreadfully archaic. Imagine if the default was that you just took off and flew direct and occasionally the computer would point out collision risk and tell you to go higher or lower or to switch to autopilot for a little while so the ATC computer can steer you. and for those that don't want to hand fly they just go to autopilot and ATC takes you all the way, including landing and not a radio call in sight.