I'm a new Private, just started IFR training. Got into a bit of trouble last week on an IFR training flight with my CFI. Not sure what the consequences might be, and I'd appreciate any insight on this:
1.We (me and CFI) were on IFR fl.plan at 11,500MSL, over a mountain range when we encountered 'moderate' turbulence and a strong downdraft. At some point the rate of descent was over 1000ft/min, we were unable to maintain altitude and got below the assigned altitude by at least 1500 ft. Reversed the course and got out of there ok, but I'm worried it might be a problem with FAA since we deviated from the ATC instructions.
2.Same flight, 10-15 minutes later: ATC cleared us for a visual approach to # airport. Since it was my second IFR flight, I didn't know that it didn't mean we could switch the frequencies.. (I know that now!) Anyway, my instructor must've still been recovering from the nerve-racking uncontrolled descent into the mountain range a few minutes ago, so I guess he missed that I switched us to CTAF, or he missed that they didn't approve frequency chance - we were self-announcing as per the regs. After we landed, he called FSS, they chewed him out, he chewed me out.. But again, we deviated from ATC's instructions, second time in as little as 15 minutes..
Apart from feeling like an idiot, I'm also worried about this situation from the legal standpoint. Is it a good idea to file a NASA form for me in this case? On one hand, I'm not acting PIC, not IFR rated; on the other hand theoretically both deviations could've been prevented by better flight planning and CRM, so it's still partially my fault. CFI says not to worry, but I'd rather get a second opinion on this.