jrs3fk195

Can anyone offer some useful advise? I'm a new Instrument Rated Pilot who did most of his flight training under foggles. My time in the clouds was limited during my training, and I never shot an "actual" approach before the checkride. Wanting to be safe, I vowed I would not fly IMC until I go comfortable with it. However, I am NOT getting comfortable. My first few minutes in the clouds are horrible. Although I maintain speed, altitude, and heading within PTS minimums, the feelings of vertigo are horrible! After a few minutes I'm OK, unless I'm flying an approach and the idea of desending, make me feel like I'm diving for the ground, (regardless of what the VSI and altimeter show) Is this normal? Or is there something I can do to make myself more comfortable and a better pilot?

If your an airline driver, and fly CAT III approaches daily, please do not respond, unless you can offer something useful. I've read too many threads that where GA pilots are belittled for wanting to learn. I know I don't have the skills of a legacy captain, don't remind me. I'm looking for help in hopes that one day I will.

250 or point 65

there is no reason to be berated for something most people feel. i get it virtually every time i'm in IMC. actually, i think its fun because its a challenge to block it out while concentrating on my instruments. i think that this is why FTD time is so valuable. everyone always says "i cant feel the plane", but thats the point. this feeling may never go away for you. this is why youve trained instruments, to ignore it.

the 2 best things you can do is get into the ftd on a regular basis and practice in IMC. the point of practicing is not to get rid of the vertigo, but to get used to it.

USMCFLYR

Here is the good news jrs - the vertigo you are experiencing has nothing to do with whether you are a good (strong) pilot or not. We are wired to be flying through the clouds without references. Vertigo is nothing more than the body's natural reaction. ALL pilots can experience vertogi. Through your instrument training you were taught how to depend on the instruments to fight those *natural* urges. As far as reducing the effects of vertigo while flying, I know that when going into the clouds it would help if you are has stable a platform as you can possibly be (meaning not turning - that seems to induce it in me personally) and be csareful about making sudden head movements. The Spin-n-Puke at NAS Pensacola use to have a demonstration of this effect and it really caught your attention as it felt like your head was going to spin off your shoulders!

USMCFLYR

IC ALL

"I vowed I would not fly IMC until I go comfortable with it."

You should post where you fly out of. Perhaps an APC member with more experience would be willing to fly with you IMC until find comfort with it. Kudos to you for wanting to fix the problem before you move on.

As far as airline driver and CatIII. Well, I guess I am. But that really has very little to do with light aircraft actual IMC. You should have said "if you're an airline pilot and feel comfortable with standby power ILS's to minimum's and practice them on a daily basis"...

usmc-sgt

Vertigo is still common with airline pilots as well. I am low time with only a few thousand hours but the other day when flying a departure procedure that requires varying step climbs and turns and what not and being in IMC from rotation on I certainly felt a bit of vertigo as I was underway.

As others have mentioned it is not that you get vertigo it is what you do with it that matters. I knew that I felt like I was in a shallow left bank but everything on my instruments, the other pilots instruments and the back up instruments told me otherwise so I trusted them. After a few moments of reassuring yourself that all is normal the vertigo seems to fade away.

Again I am lowtime so maybe after approaching ten thousand hours it no longer comes but I would have reason to believe that it comes back every so often to let you know you are human.

As others have said, I think it is a great idea to find a local pilot with experience (not a freshly minted instrument pilot of CFII) and go up and log some actual with them. I do this with a local guy quite a bit out here and it has been a great help for him. Nice easy days are best with a 500 OVC or so with tops around a few thousand in stable air.

WalkOfShame

The hardest part about instrument flying is transitioning from a visual takeoff and climb, to the instruments. This is where vertigo happens for most people. Just remember to trust your instruments and keep up your scan. The feeling will eventually subside and you will feel like you have those foggles on again. Keep practicing and fly safe!

FlyJSH

Restudy the illusions associated with instrument flying. Remember them so you can be ready prior to experiencing them.

If you still are not comfortable, grab an instructor, tell him/her not to say or do anything unless you are going to die. Now go fly in the clouds: seek out low IFR. Practice, practice, and more practice.

Over time, your disorientation experiences with shorten as you gain trust in the instruments and your skills.

I still occasionally get very short disorientation experiences. When they happen, I re-intensify my scan, mentally hug the attitude indicator like a teddy bear, and the felling goes away in a second or two.

Don't worry. Nearly all new IFR pilots feel like you (IMHO the ones who don't are more likely to ball one up).

block30

This is one of the reasons why I feel ACTUAL instrument time is more valuable than the "mighty" multi time. You have to be proficient, comfortable, and know what you're doing.

You are perfectly normal in feeling the way you do. I admonish all my instrument students that once they finish their instrument they must grab an experienced instrument pilot, or preferably myself or another CFII and get more experience in the clouds. They have no business going alone in the clouds until they have at least a few hours in actual IMC.

You are definitely right and exercising good aeronautical decision making in asking that question. Find a good pilot to go with, and if that means paying for a CFII's time, it's worth it.

Best,

mmaviator

what helped me and what my instructor told me was to get on instruments way before entering the goo. then don't look outside cause of the unnecessary head movements.

HercDriver130

someone above said it best...when you get that feeling...intensify your scan.... whether you are flying glass or steam....... ADI ADI ADI.. get the scan going... mostly on the ADI....

I have had it happen just a couple times to me in flight... but I take it very seriously ESPECIALLY when I am doing a low vis takeoff.... or in heavy rain...etc.....

Other than mechanical failure... the VAST majority of GA accidents are because of VFR pilots ( or even low time IFR rated pilots ) pushing the wx beyond their ability. JFK jr is just such and incident... fairly new instrument pilot dark night... overwater... probably little or no horizon..... set up for vertigo.