My turn:-
Just saying – I wonder if a NVMC rating may have been a 'better' solution than an increase in 'hours'. Basic instrument flying a required skill and Etc. Percentage basis, there's more chance of a CSF being caught out by daylight than unexpected or not forecast 'bad' weather. Basic instrument 'savvy' an experience could – just maybe – buy enough time to extricate the aircraft from an 'inadvertent' collision with cloud.
It ain't an onerous rating to acquire – HERE – and I reckon a handy one. But education of the real kind is a partial solution. But it too can fail to completely address the 'human condition' no matter how draconian the penalties are. Look no further than your drive to the airport to see what you are dealing with. Take any one of a dozen or so 'silly' things some do on the road despite 'rools' education and horrific pictures – there are those who clearly realise that it could be them and try to act responsibly – then there are the 'others' who believe the converse – it is a mixture for trouble.
Pilots are probably more risk aware than the average road user; and we've all done it – taken a punt. But mostly it is an 'educated' risk – like pushing on into bad weather under the VFR. You can do this and you can do it quite safely – provided that you are fully aware of the inerrant dangers; always, always, always leave the back door open and a clear run to a suitable field. So far and no further unless I can see my way clear. Of course having the forecast on board is about as much use as a chocolate fire wall if it is not understood, or treated as a 'legal' requirement. The BoM (bless 'em) can be +/- 70% out, and will always lean toward the 'worst case' and I have little quarrel with that; forewarned and forearmed – gas for Mum and an alternate plan can't harm anyone. I'd much rather be pleasantly surprised on arrival than have an Oh crap moment when go-around time comes; or a diversion is required.
I guess there will always be risk takers; we all are to some degree – but few outside of airshows are 'thrill – seekers' or fools. And yet year after year there are CFIT events involving VMC qualified tangling with instrument conditions. Decade after decade there is the brangle of do we teach basic instrument skills or not. There are those who say No; it will lead to temptation. There are those who firmly believe in additional instrument training. As TB mentioned – 30 seconds in cloud demonstrates just how quickly control can be lost. There has never yet been a solution and the tribes are convinced that 'their' philosophy is the only one.
So, I don't know where the solution lays; a NVMC rating seems a reasonable step to keep 'instrument' skills current – but there lies a separate problem – staying current. Round and round it goes – but one thing is abundantly clear – there will always be those who chance their arm – same thing on the roads; those who believe they were kissed on the arse by God and made immortal. For me, I always know where Murphy is – right there, where he belongs – in the right hand seat.
Toot – toot.
Just saying – I wonder if a NVMC rating may have been a 'better' solution than an increase in 'hours'. Basic instrument flying a required skill and Etc. Percentage basis, there's more chance of a CSF being caught out by daylight than unexpected or not forecast 'bad' weather. Basic instrument 'savvy' an experience could – just maybe – buy enough time to extricate the aircraft from an 'inadvertent' collision with cloud.
It ain't an onerous rating to acquire – HERE – and I reckon a handy one. But education of the real kind is a partial solution. But it too can fail to completely address the 'human condition' no matter how draconian the penalties are. Look no further than your drive to the airport to see what you are dealing with. Take any one of a dozen or so 'silly' things some do on the road despite 'rools' education and horrific pictures – there are those who clearly realise that it could be them and try to act responsibly – then there are the 'others' who believe the converse – it is a mixture for trouble.
Pilots are probably more risk aware than the average road user; and we've all done it – taken a punt. But mostly it is an 'educated' risk – like pushing on into bad weather under the VFR. You can do this and you can do it quite safely – provided that you are fully aware of the inerrant dangers; always, always, always leave the back door open and a clear run to a suitable field. So far and no further unless I can see my way clear. Of course having the forecast on board is about as much use as a chocolate fire wall if it is not understood, or treated as a 'legal' requirement. The BoM (bless 'em) can be +/- 70% out, and will always lean toward the 'worst case' and I have little quarrel with that; forewarned and forearmed – gas for Mum and an alternate plan can't harm anyone. I'd much rather be pleasantly surprised on arrival than have an Oh crap moment when go-around time comes; or a diversion is required.
I guess there will always be risk takers; we all are to some degree – but few outside of airshows are 'thrill – seekers' or fools. And yet year after year there are CFIT events involving VMC qualified tangling with instrument conditions. Decade after decade there is the brangle of do we teach basic instrument skills or not. There are those who say No; it will lead to temptation. There are those who firmly believe in additional instrument training. As TB mentioned – 30 seconds in cloud demonstrates just how quickly control can be lost. There has never yet been a solution and the tribes are convinced that 'their' philosophy is the only one.
So, I don't know where the solution lays; a NVMC rating seems a reasonable step to keep 'instrument' skills current – but there lies a separate problem – staying current. Round and round it goes – but one thing is abundantly clear – there will always be those who chance their arm – same thing on the roads; those who believe they were kissed on the arse by God and made immortal. For me, I always know where Murphy is – right there, where he belongs – in the right hand seat.
Toot – toot.