Prep. for engine out in solid IMC at night...
 

Hey everyone, I just wanted to get people's opinion on this question.


How do you set up for an off field landing, IMC conditions at night?

Pray, vectors, stay above Vmc or stall speed.

Proper prior planning. Know your route, your aircraft, and yourself. Along the way, when in IFR or VFR weather you should always be prepared for an abnormality. I would say in a single engine aircraft its a bit more like Slice said, a little paying might not hurt, but you still need to fly the airplane, Pick a direction based on your route, and talk to someone. The basics realy apply in this case. In a twin it becomes a bit more complicated because there are more options and variables. BUT, the basics still apply.

Good Luck

so I guess know the route, know where the bases are, ask for a vector and pray you break out. And then configure accordingly once breaking out.

I lost most of my engine power in the clouds once, in solid IMC. I asked for a vector to the nearest field, broke out a mile out and landed visual. But I had some power, atc had me on radar, and the ceilings were maybe 800 ft. It could get quite dicey without some lucky stars to count on.

Turn on the LDG light. If you don't like what you see, turn it back off.

IMC descent in a Spad?
 

I read somewhere that in the days before instruments, the emergency way to get below a thick cloud deck without losing control was to enter a deliberate spin! Apparently that put your biplane in a stable and easily recoverable mode, with a modest rate of descent.

That would work as long as you knew what the ceiling was. It would prevent graveyard spirals or other manuevers likely to overgee / overspeed the airframe. A spun airplane is unloaded and will not pick up forward A/S.