I agree with you guys on one level.  I never plan to
intentionally fly into
icing-like conditions or around big imbedded
towering cu.  There is also
no-doubt a currency factor that should play a big
role.

But on the other hand, having the additional
training will only be helpful
give your personal weather decisions.  I have also
spent my share of time in
inadvertent IMC where I was afraid to contact ATC
for fear of getting in
trouble.  Being legal, separated from other traffic,
and better trained is
never a bad thing.

I had been waiting on getting my ticket until my
RV-6 was flying.  Now it
is, so last week I took the written.  First flight
coming soon, practicing
on the computer.  Bluemountain EIFS lite G3 paid for
- to redundantize the
panel.  (check out this newest bit of gear from an
ex-rotor head.
www.bluemountainavionics.com )

Dave Leonard


>
> Steve,
>
>     You made the point I felt about myself.  If I
weren't going to stay
> current (unlikely) then having the ticket just
might be enough to tempt me
> to do something that could end up getting me
killed.
>
>   Lets' face it - by flying experimental aircraft
with
> experimental engines
> we have already moved the risk factor up the scale
a notch or two.  I
> personally like to keep the other risk factors
(within my control) on the
> lower side {:>)
>
> Ed
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Brooks" <prvt_pilot@yahoo.com>
> To: "Rotary motors in aircraft"
<flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
> Sent: Sunday, October 31, 2004 10:04 PM
> Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: 3000 fpm :-)
(unofficially)
>
>
> > Ed,
> > Actually I have an instrument rating, but the
guy who
> > had the Bonaza wasn't current, and I wouldn't
want to
> > fly an unfamiliar aircraft in actual IMC. Especially
> > as bad as it was here 1-1/2 vis w/ 500 ft
ceiling.
> > Not very good conditions, especially since I
haven't
> > flown in actual IMC in 2 years.  Not a good
place to
> > pick back up.
> >
> > Steve Brooks
> > --- Ed Anderson <eanderson@carolina.rr.com>
wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Bulent Aliev" <atlasyts@bellsouth.net>
> > > To: "Rotary motors in aircraft"
> > > <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
> > > Sent: Sunday, October 31, 2004 4:58 PM
> > > Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: 3000 fpm :-)
(unofficially)
> > >
> > >
> > > > On 10/31/04 3:54 PM, "Ed Anderson"
> > > <eanderson@carolina.rr.com> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Hi Steve, good to hear from you.
> > > > >
> > > > > Yes, I always looked at the weather in SC
just
> > > to see if I did get off
> > > what
> > > > > it would be like a bit further south. Generally
> > > the fog didn't start to
> > > > > lift until near the Georgia border.
> > > >
> > > > You guys have one year to get your
instrument
> > > rating. Last year we had 6
> > > > rotary powered airplanes. This year two? We
are
> > > going backwards?
> > > > Fin is the only one with real coconuts to
fly in
> > > even if the tower told
> > > him
> > > > it is IFR (or fly period :) It was a great
> > > gathering as usual and we thank
> > > > Tracy and Laura for the hospitality and
Laura's
> > > parents for landing them
> > > > their beautiful house.
> > > > Bulent
> > > >
> > >
> > > Ah! I see we are now using Finn's coconuts as
the
> > > standard- are we?.  Well,
> > > this old ape is content to let the young ones
with
> > > the big coconuts fly in
> > > that kind of weather.  Probably why you only
see
> > > small coconuts on old apes
> > > {:>)
> > >
> > > Two winters ago I stupidly got myself in
situation
> > > (clear Wx was being
> > > reported behind a cold front) flying at 8000
ft and
> > > trying to go over the
> > > tops of a "few clouds". I ended up spending
15-20
> > > minutes in solid IFR and
> > > ice.  Ice formed on the canopy and in front of
each
> > > fuel cap on the wing.
> > > Fortunately had pitot heat and remembered to
turn it
> > > on before it was too
> > > late.  yes, I did the 180 thing but the
weather had
> > > build up behind me
> > > quickly.
> > >
> > > Staying on the AI, altimeter and GPS, I was
finally
> > > able to get down and
> > > below the weather at 1800 MSL.   I finally
landed
> > > minus radio antenna (that
> > > the ice took off) just  north of Atlanta.  The
> > > first thing I saw when I
> > > staggered into the FBO's office through the
blowing
> > > snow was an article
> > > posted to their reading board about the
average time
> > > a non-instrument rated
> > > pilot lasted in IFR conditions was a few
seconds
> > > short of 3 minutes. The
> > > experience and the article was  enough to
shrink any
> > > oversized coconuts
> > > this old ape may have had. {:>)
> > >
> > > My plane is instrumented for IFR (fortunately)
and I
> > > actually completed the
> > > instrument ground school and passed the FAA
ground
> > > test just before I
> > > retired.  I then decided that there was
probably
> > > risk in me completing an
> > > obtaining an IFR rating.  If you don't stay
current
> > > - I think you are
> > > fooling yourself and just might end up in a
> > > situation beyond your current
> > > capabilities.
> > >
> > > Sorry, I didn't make it and missed seeing all
you
> > > folks that did, but hope
> > > to make it next year.  Now if Tracy got a GPS
> > > approach for Shady Bend {:>)
> > >
> > > Best Regards
> > >
> > > Ed Anderson.