Cupcakus

I got my PPL about a month ago, and I've been working on Instrument for the past week or so. Mostly because in order to be insured to solo in the TB20 I just bought I need to be.

Here's my question...

My home airport lies in Class G airspace up to 700AGL (702 MSL), there is a published GPS approach for the airport, however I don't have an IFR approved GPS, just a portable 496.

Typically in the evenings during the summer, the marine layer creeps in and covers the area completely, ceiling rarely falls below 1000ft. Currently I have to plan my flights to be in before 4PM or I will likely have to fly out 20 miles to sneak under the layer and scud run back to the airport.

Would being able to fly IFR help with this? Can ATC give me vectors to the airport, allow me to pass through the layer to 700ft and cancel before entering class G where I can make a VFR landing. Or am I out of luck until I invest in a panel mounted IFR GPS?

usmc-sgt

As for an RNAV approach with a non approved GPS you are out of luck.

As far as getting into your airspace with ATCs help that depends. You would need to find out what their minimum vectoring altitude is in that area which is not published but they should tell you if you ask. I would be willing to bet though that it is somewhere higher than 700 feet. If it is somewhere close to that you can always ask for vectors to your airport and then ask for lower in the hopes of glimpsing the airport but youd need to be prepared to go to an alternate.

Best bet by far is that if you can afford a plane you can afford a used garmin 430 or similiar off ebay and get it installed, it will save you hassle.

Twin Wasp

Or is there another airport nearby you can file to, shoot the approach, cancel and cruise 5-10 miles along the coast line v. 20x2 feet wet?

ryan1234

Sure you don't have like a VOR-A approach or something in addition to the RNAV at the airport?

USMCFLYR

Is he asking whether he could shoot the instrument approach if he is only a PPL in order to get under the marine layer or did I read the post in a different light?

USMCFLYR

ufgatorpilot

I think he's asking whether it would do him any good to have an instrument rating to get back into the airport when the ceiling is low since he doesn't have the equipment required to do the GPS approach. I don't think he was proposing shooting the approach without an instrument rating....

Cupcakus

This is an interesting idea I hadn't thought of. There is an ILS approach for a class D airport about 10 miles north. I didn't think it would be possible to be on an ILS approach 500ft clear of the layer and then fly homje. That would be better for sure.

I'm willing to bet 700ft is well below the minimum vectoring altitude for the area, so my original idea won't pan out.

I'll take a peek at ebay, I was told to upgrade to an IFR GPS would be in the range of $30,000 which is substantial just for the ability to come back in after 6pm in the summer.

USMCFLYR

Ah....so I did misunderstand. That is actually good then since the answer thus far had not admonished the thought of attempting the approach if not properly rated Now - as far as shooting an approach without the proper equipment As far as shooting a legal approach to an airport nearby and then canceling and proceeding to another airport - yes that would/will/ and has worked; but just always be careful scud running.

USMCFLYR

hurricanechaser

I just felt compel to respond to the name of this thread.... Can IFR really get me home?

Yes it can but remember that at the end of the day you still have to Visually identify the runway at the end of your successful fight. I always tell my students that the IFR rating is not a rating to go fly into less than favorable weather, but a rating to get yourself out of less than favorable weather and sometimes fly through it after careful attention to detailed planning.

I just feel that you might be cutting it to close without the IFR rating and that you should get one if your tinkering around with coastal maritime weather phenomenon at your home airport.

That's just my .02 cents and I will now step down from my soapbox. Happy flying though and good luck with whatever you decide to do.

usmc-sgt

A good point someone made about the other airport approach. I know there is an airpark on the cape that a few people do that. They shoot the ILS to the nearby class D airport and then when they break out they get special VFR to their airport or simply cancel IFR and maintain their own cloud clearance (and obstacle) legality wise.