VFR or IFR?
 

Hello all,
New here and was just reading some topics and a couple other websites and it got me thinking. Im just trying to decide where to do my training for PPL, and so Im rather clueless.

My main goal is going to be to just go for my PPL, obtain my own aircraft, and have it for personal use. It would be getting used quite a bit, as I travel a LOT, for hunting, fishing, and work.

Probably going to be something small that I buy, is IFR really necessary? Is it something that I would use in a small Cessna? Or is it made more for larger planes flying higher altitudes?

School me on this please!
Thanks in advance

absolutely recommend IFR ticket it will make you SAFER and BETTER.

what else do you need ?

+1... It will help you more than you'll ever realize.

Look through NTSB accident databases and see how many non-instrument rated pilots have crashed, with IMC conditions being a contributing factor. Should be enough to convince you.

IFR
 

Imagine being stuck on the ground for a thin cloud layer 800 feet above the departure airport, while your arrival airport is VFR. Punch through it to clear and a million on top, and you're on your way.

It's a tremendous accomplishment - combining stick and rudder (physical hand-eye coordination) with better situational awareness (mental).

Insurance will be cheaper and you will be a safer pilot.

It's for the little guys too. Hand flown 172s, a Cheetah and a Mooney just about everywhere East of the Mississippi. While you can have VFR fright following (workload permitting), there's also comfort in knowing that ATC is also keeping an eye on you.

For fun flying, I'd rather fly actual IFR (within my personal mins) rather than VFR. It's a running joke at home - the weather is too good to fly. :)

Most definitely get the IFR certificate. I had a great instructor for that and to me, personally, it is my favorite type of flying. The first time you hit actual IMC you're just stoked since before that the closest you could get was 500 feet. :P

Seriously though, it will make you a much better and safer pilot. After obtaining my PPL I didn't exactly feel the most comfortable with knowing I could just hop in an aircraft and take off but after obtaining the instrument rating your confidence/flying ability increases a lot.

Do the instrument rating! STAY CURRENT! Set your own personal limits and slowly build your confidence. Stay safe!

While I agree with the sentiments above, that an IFR rating is invaluable, it's also important not to get too far ahead of yourself. You need to get the PPL license first and built the fundamentals. When that is behind you, you will be in a better position to evaluate your needs going forward.

As for where to do your training, that is a very personal decision and will depend a lot upon where exactly you live. IMHO for the type of flying you envision, bigger is not better. The best bet is to find a small, friendly FBO ("Fixed Base Operator") at a small, friendly airport and pair up with a single instructor who you can develop a good working relationship with. Large schools will tout the benefits of their structured programs, but in the end you will probably pay less and get a better experience with the little guy. My opinion only. Once you've started down this path, commit to it. Fly every weekend at a minimum. Study hard at home. You can easily knock out a PPL in a few months. If you drag it out, it'll cost you more.

Thanks guys. The good thing is I have and can make time when I do it. and money is not an issue as well. Location wise I can do it anywhere, so the search begins.

I am going to plan to do my PPL, then get some airtime under my belt, then fo IFR later once I get some experience.

The PPL requires about 40 hours minimum, the IFR is about 200, so yeah, you will have to get some time under your belt, about 160 hours, just to qualify for the IFR ticket.

In those 160 hours you will be taking Instrument lessons and flying cross country type flights, etc. You can save some money (or share the cost) by finding another pilot to split the cost with.

When I did it (back in 1978), I would share the ride (in a C150) with another PPL buddy who was also working on his IFR, we'd take turns flying with the hood on. One of us would fly to an airport about an hour away while wearing the hood, the other guy would be responsible for clearing for traffic, then swap seats/hood for the ride home.

Might want to go back and do a little review of FAR 61.65. I realize 1978 was a long time ago. In addition to the PPL, you need 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time including 15 hours of instruction. 20 hours of that 40 can be in a flight training device or simulator.

When I got my instrument rating, back in 2000, I had logged a total of about 80 hours flight time, which is pretty close to the realistic minimum.