Getting ready for my 1st IFR trip, need some tips...

[DanBaier]

Originally Posted by steve91t

... I'll definitely watch out for ice....

First indication will be when the entire windscreen frosts over - make sure you can get to above freezing to get that off before trying to land.

In icing conditions, I'm personally a little suspicious that the narrow horizontal stabilizer is a tailplane stall waiting to happen - maybe keep the speed up and not use flaps.

Dan

[Rotorheadrob]

Good Thread for all...

I'm flying an AFS EFIS, GNS 430W, TT, 696 and love the setup, much has already been said here but would add a few more things to help continue the discussion;

Use the HITS on the EFIS. Handy for "seeing your goal" either during a climb, turning, descending, approaching a way point (it shows the name in the box) or just something to monitor the autopilot with while you scanning or busy doing other stuff enroute.

Program both portable GPS & 430 when ever able, even in generalization (next big way point or destination) as a back up. Mine are interconnected so I don't fiddle with the duplicate programming but I do have a an Ipad that is my 3rd backup and have to program it also. Electrical failures happen or for just "seeing the big picture" in an "oh crud" moment etc. Good SA habit.

There is software in the Garmin portable that is very useful if you loose an instrument like Airspeed, their Panel Page with GS for A/S. Know how to pull that up on your unit if you have pitot freeze up or something?

Add a "pointer" to your virtual aircraft on the Garmin portable that shows at a glance what direction your pointing. also handy when in an "oh crud moment."

Get an Ipad. Put it on a knee board. The mini would be best but the standard is OK too in a side by side. Geo-Referenced Charts (say NO to paper!) and Pre-Flight planing is The Way! You'll know where you are, have the charts and Plates and Wx. Very Helpful. However, these little planes bounce around in IMC so don't kid yourself about touching the screen exactly when you need to, you may not be able to? Plan for that-have your portable GPS setup too!

Have the most recent software loaded in your AFS EFIS. Synthetic Vision is AMAZING! and the added Airports makes IFR approaches so much easier and less stressful. AFS has sectionals and low alt maps, very helpful to maintain SA.

Remember, your now flying a much smaller a/c single pilot so, don't forget to "Fly The Aircraft First" while programming and ALWAYS monitor Mr. Auto (he only does what he has been told).

The RV's are wonderful flying planes and great fun but, I was most draw by the modern EFIS panels available. My buddies who fly for the airlines are blown away with the AFS EFIS and the rest, they often say they would like this stuff in the rig they fly. Your in good hands with that gear but, like others have said, take the time to use the Simulator on a computer and you'll be on your way.

Please, keep us posted, I'm flying IFR on the west coast in the mountains and would like to hear others experiences in these RVs. IFR are is great fun and makes your plane more usable and YOU a more proficient pilot. Enjoy!

[DanH]

Originally Posted by LAMPSguy

Extensive pre-flight planning. I make a flight packet with full 8.5x11 overview of route, apch plates, airport with taxi way, frequencies enroute (all possible, so all I have to do is just circle the correct one that I was given), etc.

Dumb VFR guy question.....where do I find the enroute (center) frequencies?

[rleffler]

Originally Posted by DanH

Dumb VFR guy question.....where do I find the enroute (center) frequencies?

AFD and the IFR enroute charts (low and high level)

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by DanH

Dumb VFR guy question.....where do I find the enroute (center) frequencies?

What Bob said....but also hit <Nearest> <ATC> on your 696 and it will bring up the freq's...very useful. You DO have a 696, right?

[PaulR]

I believe all the portable Garmins that have the "nearest" feature give you an option for ARTCC frequencies. I know the Aera series does and it works!

[Noah]

Even the 430W gives you nearest ARTCC freq's. Twist the little knob all the way to the right in Nav mode, IIRC.

[sahrens]

I fly a Shorts 330. We have specific procedures when we get ATIS, briefing the approach, descent checks, approach checks and landing checks. I am sure your Dash 8 has similar checks and your operations has similar procedures.

If that is what you are use to, adapt it to your RV. Brief the approach to yourself. When I fly single pilot IFR, I do and out loud. Build your own descent, approach, landing checks and use them. It will add to your comfort level and make the flight more enjoyable.

Don't forget to debrief yourself after the approach. What did I do well and what did I do wrong?

Just two more cents worth of information for you.

[steve91t]

Yesterday my buddy spent some time with me on the 430. It actually does make sense now that I understand it. I still have a lot to learn, but I can make flight plans, add and delete, go direct without dumping everything, and I can select which approaches to use. I also now know how to switch the EFIS and GPS over for an ILS or LOC approach. I still haven't touched the 496 yet, but I'll have a few hours to and from florida to play with it.


Today my wife and myself went to a small airport with an amazing BBQ restaurant. 30 minutes each way. This was a perfect trip to get ourselves situated before our "big" trip to Florida and back over Christmas.

Here she is all strapped and ready to go.



She had no idea how much fun she was going to have.



Little iPhone 5 did pretty good at 3000 feet! Not sure what would happen at 8000 though.



At the Pick N' Pig. We got there late and it was still busy!



This is what made my day. On our way home, just 5 minutes into the flight, I asked if Ash wanted to fly. She said sure. She hand flew all the way home, about 25 minutes. She was +- 100 feet and kept us on course. She had a naturally relaxed grip and was so smooth an delicate on the controls that I couldn't even feel her moving them. She asked questions all the way home about flight following, why we want it, how it works, asked questions about the airplane, GPS, and a bunch of down to earth questions. All while flying!




We are going to have fun in this thing! We can't wait for our next trip.

[pierre smith]

We've just been married for 7 years and my wife has become the chief RV cheerleader

She's a retired Naval supply officer and always thought of the Navy pilots as a bunch of self-centered, arrogant pilots, so when we started dating, she was waiting for my, "arrogant, self-centered" pilot attitude to show.

That not forthcoming, she became an avid rider, picking day trips and eventually saying, "We need to trade the -6 for a -10 so my sons and our friends can come along." I was flabbergasted, so here we are!

You're a lucky guy!

Best,