VFR flight into IMC

Jon Hunt, The Flying Reporter aborts a local VFR flight from Biggin Hill, after entering IMC weather soon after reaching cruise altitude.
Jon is an IR(R) rated private pilot, but with a low freezing level, it was safer to return to base. The video illustrates the speed with which relatively good visibility can deteriorate.
The landing took place in light-moderate rain. The video makes the approach look more difficult than it actually was in reality.
Video is edited (duh, obviously)!
For more info about this flight: www.jonhunt.net/2016/02/vfr-in...
Music
Impact Allegretto & Amazing Plan - Distressed by Kevin MacLeod
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
and
Autumn Sunset by Audionautix Artist: audionautix.com/
are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)

[@megadavis5377]

Just a small voice of experience here. Take it for what it's worth or disregard. In my 52 years and right at 29,000 hours of flying, I find that even with about 9,000 hours of hard IMC logged I can still quickly reach a point where I feel overwhelmed while on instruments - AT FIRST. That is, in the first few minutes after entering the clouds UNLESS I HAVE VERY RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE CLOUDS. Recency of experience adds to the confidence I have when I enter the clouds - especially at night. I am quite comfortable hand-flying our turbine multi-engine airplanes in the clouds all night if need be. But those first few minutes in the clouds after I come back from a couple of weeks off - or an extended vacation - necessitate extra vigilance and concentration. I have to be TOTALLY COMMITTED to IFR flying at that point - forgetting all about what is beyond my instrument panel; the outside world no longer exists... At my age and experience level I can certainly imagine and understand how a private pilot with about 500 hours total time - one who might fly an average of about fifty hours a year, and who has no recent experience in the clouds or night time flying - might be quickly lost after entering the soup or after entering airspace over sparsely populated areas. There is no substitute for practice and experience - especially recent experience. Be safe out there, folks.

[@MrPeterthepilot]

As my old ex RAF, ex Dan Air flying instructor used to say: ‘It is better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down here’.

[@rinzler9775]

The scouts motto applies "be prepared" - this means flight planning, and doing IFR training even if you think you will never need it. It also means being familiar with an "escape plan" - turn 180 at sign of trouble, if you wind up in the soup, CLIMB, keep CONTROL, CONFESS to the ATC.

[@anaruizguti]

with vids like this you'll get the whole nation flying. 😊

[@WendelltheSongwriter]

After the questionable decision to take off, you made the right one. Students should take away the lesson that takeoffs are not mandatory. Good video.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+WendelltheSongwriter thank you.

[@keithcarlton2054]

Oof, being on the runway and telling yourself it will be ok is not how pilots manage risk

[@Joemonter13]

Glad you came out okay. However you know you should have not gone when you are trying to convince yourself conditions are okay. That little bit of hesitation should have clued you in. Too many pilots decide to go and then get into trouble. Better staying on terra firma than crashing later. Good lesson video.

[@cageordie]

I knew about icing conceptually, but never met it until I was flying a realistic simulator. Which simulated me falling like a rock. Then I listened to a pilot trying to fly from Reno to the Bay Area in icing conditions, he tried to climb above but picked up too much ice. Even with a high performance aircraft he had no chance once he had made the bad decision. The one day I was with a friend flying down past Yellowstone when we flew through a whisp of cloud and it stuck to everything it touched. The instant lurch of fear is something I just don't want again. At least it was daytime and we saw it happen. I applaud your choice of living to fly another day.

[@TenorDad]

Smart man! Get down safely to fly another day!!

[@flyingrasa7094]

Really enjoying your videos...They are well made and its great to see someone making videos in my local flying area :) Please keep it up

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Rasa. Will try.

[@dr_jaymz]

Wasn't IMC just yet, and you see through the rain so it's not as bad as it looked. Nevertheless, Rated or not its not as much fun, turning back is wise, why make life difficult? You want to hit just a little rain to wash the bugs off then land.

[@rinzler9775]

It always makes a good yarn back at the pilots lounge over a beer "the weather closed in, I couldn't see a thing, but I found my way out - lucky to be alive".

[@cklg88]

He made the correct call, he saw it was going to probably be beyond what he was going to be unconfortable so made a logical decision to go back.

[@rinzler9775]

Very few old, bold pilots.

[@billcallahan9303]

I liked what you said: "When you're sitting on the ground & no one else is flying." As a former Beech 18 freight doggie, I had that empty feeling a lot but went ahead into fog, ice, thunderstorms etc, and survived.....surprisingly! Over & Back by Wild Bill Callahan on Amazon.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Bill Callahan looks like you have some interesting stories Bill! What a life.

[@PlaneOldBen]

This seemed like a very wise decision!

[@markofiorovic1573]

Smart décision

[@jibeneyto91]

Very nice video! I wonder if you had continued had the freezing level been at, say, FL100. Would you have tried to climb on top of the clouds? In other words, was the freezing level your main worry or was it getting into IMC, even if it was benign IMC.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+jibeneyto hi. I wasn't really prepared for flight in IMC, I seem to remember. I can't even recall if on this flight I had my IR(R). The base of class A airspace here though is 2500 so I couldn't have climbed here, even if I'd wanted to.

[@ashleyjohnson5688]

good clear quick decision. nice one. i like the ipad wth skydemon on the right hand column. might give that a go myself! keep flying:)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Ashley.

[@DrummerboyUK1]

I'll second that about the tablet/ipad on the right! I'll try the same myself!!

[@stealhty1]

Good choice

[@12vibaba]

The doubt you had at the beginning of the video before the flight should have kept you on the ground I guess. I had the same experience. Now if i have second thoughts, i just stay on the ground. Not worth the risk and also not fun.

[@triumphman]

Agreed. “ better to be on the ground wishing you were up there rather than up there wishing you were on the ground”

[@cali9460]

Yeah if there's any doubt you shouldn't risk it, ESPECIALLY if it's just a "fun flight" like this guy had, I really do appreciate the fact that he posted his mistake for the world to see, critique, and most importantly learn from.

[@allancopland1768]

Good call.

[@flyby420]

I would've turned around also.

[@katana5562]

flyby2474 Yes and it is highly recommend if a VFR pilot wants to save his life. He showed how to do it right. The hillbillies trolling are the ones that will be scratched from the ground sooner or later. Irresponsible people who hopefully don’t take others with them.

[@FlyUK]

It is interesting to see how quick it changes and I can imagine how non IR pilots can get into trouble. How much does it cost for an Instrument Rating roughly?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi. For a UK IR(R) rating, it's a minimum of 15 hours instruction, a test fee, license issue fee, books, and a theoretical knowledge fee. So about £3000-£3500 would be a rough ballpark. A full IR is a much bigger deal!

[@FlyUK]

Thanks for that, I would certainly be looking to this after the PPL

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+flyinguk it's a great skill to have. Would be worthwhile flying VFR for a bit first, in my view, in fact, if I remember correctly, I think you need a minimum of about 100 hours before you can do it. There are limitations of the IR(R), but anything that can improve your chances of a safe flight is worth it in my view!

[@FlyUK]

Yea I want to build my hours up and visit a few places first. Can't wait :) Thanks again

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+The Flying Reporter actually, just checked. Minimum 25 hours post ppl.

[@gordonquinn]

Great video, definitely the right call, hard to admit defeat and turn back, even more so if you have passengers or a place to be. Out of interest, would you consider conditions on the day to be legally beyond VFR? I find it surprising how poor conditions could actually be even within legal VFR minimums. Until I get my IR I'm considering myself a VVFR pilot i.e. a Very VFR pilot ;)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Gordon Quinn I can't remember the metar and Taf on the day, but it would have been legal VFR. The conditions I encountered were borderline VMC/IMC which is why I turned back. Legal VFR minimum in class g is just 1500m visibility, which is nothing really.

[@MyPoopoo2]

Great video but man did you push that throttle up fast. Lucky not a csu or be bouncing off governor. Nothing wrong with landing with no flap in a pa-28 especially in strong crosswind. Thumb up from me for a great video.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Cheers Cheiftain.

[@zeepack]

Nice flying. You never really entered IMC in my opinion.

[@stephanfiebich1561]

Stressed enough to forget the flaps

[@katana5562]

Yeah, otherwise his chance of posting this video would have been about 14%. He entered beginning IMC conditions, so the title is totally ok.

[@kellyfennell4559]

SinGle pilot ifr without complete autopilot help I will not do . My experience something going to go wrong with something hard to fly and trouble shoot or operate

[@ianjonesmusictuition6716]

Jon - Meant to ask this. I've had two different CFIs tell me that there are no circumstances you should land without flap in a PA28, except in the event of flap failure. I'd be interested to hear your views on this. I realise you have the benefit of a long runway at Biggin of course and conditions here are gusty etc.. Ian

[@TheFlyingReporter]

That's interesting Ian. I did my PPL in a C152, and was trained not to use flap if it's particularly gusty. In my differences training on the PA28, this wasn't covered. So I'll check. Is there anything in the POH - our copy is in the aircraft.

[@DrummerboyUK1]

Thanks for your reply Jon. The POH states 'it may be desirable to use partial or no flaps during certain conditions' I mentioned this to one of the CFIs (a chap with about 12,000 hours, ex RAF instructor, CAA examiner etc. His reply was that in an aircraft with electric flaps it's important to consider flap less landings due to potential electrical failure, but this obviously doesn't apply to the PA28. He pointed out that aircraft stall at a lower speed with flap, and he would always use at least 2 stages on the PA28 unless they'd failed altogether. I was curious as to whether you'd been told differently about the approach and landing on this particular aircraft. Ian

[@DrummerboyUK1]

Sorry to confuse you Jon.. KZbin logged me in under my other username!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

That's okay. I'm checking with a few people.

[@ianjonesmusictuition6716]

Great. I'd be very interested to hear what you discover Jon.

[@danevlogs9470]

As a new student to flying. Do u have any tips on how not to worry so much when u get turbulence

[@TheFlyingReporter]

You just have to accept that the plane wants to be stable, and will likely revert back to straight and level,without any input from you. Loosen your grip, and enjoy the ride.

[@danevlogs9470]

The Flying Reporter just find it hard to enjoy the ride when it’s bumpy ride

[@speedbird737]

@@danevlogs9470 the more you fly and accept the occasional bumps then it will become second nature - it doesn't happen all the time

[@dr_jaymz]

Perhaps go flying with instructor when its proper bumpy. That's what I did and it helped allot.

[@gabrieltassi4030]

It's rarely going to be a smooth flight on small training aircraft, especially if you are flying on hot places.

[@alzdeane]

Jon, what GoPro mounts do you use? I find constant shake with mine in the PA28 :( !

[@TheFlyingReporter]

GoPro suction cups, with GoPro buckle. Standard sticky mounts. And exterior mounts, described in my FAQs on my website www.jonhunt.net

[@alzdeane]

Thanks Jon :)

[@alzdeane]

The '+' to expand the FAQ questions isn't working - tried 3 browsers!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I am having no probs on 3 devices inc mobile, on multiple browsers. Maybe you have a plugin/flash/java disabled? The section you were interested in is as follows: The camera mounts I use attach to the PA28 tie down points. They are from mypilotpro.com in the US. The mounts are approved by my CAMO (aircraft engineer) under EASA CS-STAN (Standard Changes and Standard Repairs). Standard Change CS-SC403a PROVISIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF LIGHTWEIGHT CAMERAS www.easa.europa.eu/document-library/certification-specifications/cs-stan-issue-2 My engineer, paying regard to the CAA’s Policy and guidance on mounting cameras on aircraft, CAP 1369.

[@alzdeane]

Thankyou. I tried on another computer and it works!

[@fozzywxman]

Hey kids, MVFR ceilings are not VFR. It's called "marginal" for a reason, and it's likely there will be IFR out there.

[@potatopilot1699]

It still amazes me how many new VFR only pilots I see at airsports asking if the weather is good for flying as the METAR reads MVFR. It's like they ignore the "M" in MVFR and only see VFR!

[@cdtaylor7732]

What is the peas reference?

[@Th3DadGam3r]

He’s saying t’s and p’s. Meaning temperature and pressures of the engine oil.

[@easyJetAirbus]

Had a very similar experience (vid on my channel). It's definitely worth getting the IMC!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Flying101 Which of your videos is it? Couldn't immediately see which one! I totally agree, the IMC/IR(R) is a life saver.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+The Flying Reporter i found your video. Yes, it can creep up on you can't it.

[@easyJetAirbus]

Yes, it's quite a shock!

[@mjudec]

At 1:06 the point where a bad decision is made. New pilots- never think like this. This guy is clearly quite experienced and managed ok but you're asking for real trouble if you do this. VFR flying is for pleasure...if you ever "need to fly" to get somewhere you should get instrument rated. If you're doubtful about the weather don't fly. VFR minimums are well below what is comfortably safe, especially for low hours pilots. Go with your nagging voice.

[@mjudec]

I would say though that the decision to turn back before it became IMC was excellent, and a really good lesson on how to react for others. Best route out of IMC is not to enter it.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks. I think I was instrument rated at the time, a long time ago, but not prepared for instrument flight that day I seem to remember.

[@tomnguyen8546]

"If there's doubt, there is no doubt"

[@dipayan4264]

He should install some wipers....don't fly blind.....

[@jjaus]

I was going to subscribe, then I heard the annoying unnecessary music.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+jjaus thanks for the feedback. This is an old video of mine.

[@footsy420]

It sounded good to me and I am one of those aviation music haters though I do try to keep it to myself more than most. I'd much rather hear music than the drone of the engine from in the cockpit. Natural sounds are good from the ground or in gliders.

[@jjaus]

Why do we need music? Particularly when there is ATC chatter and he is talking at the same time.

[@footsy420]

I think your taste in videos is wrong. This was well done. You're favorite colour is probably wrong too.

[@katana5562]

The music is barely recognizable.