Multi IFR in under a Week - Maybe Not My Best Idea

I really like what the instructor said at the beginning, "An instrument rating is not an achievement, it's a commitment".

Good job for sharing this experience. Retired U.S. Navy pilot here. Many flight-related evolutions are perishable skills which if not regularly practiced, quickly degrade. We were required to fly specified amount of flight hours per month, landings, night time, air refueling, etc. to maintain proficiency. This system and focus on proficiency works very well and the Navy has a very good safety record especially considering the mission. Not staying proficient is very risky for pilots and their passengers. I’ll end with a quick story. While flying a training mission in Northern California near dusk, I heard a civilian pilot request vectors to a small airport. The controller informed him it had been closed for several months and asked the pilot’s intentions. He was unaware of the closure, low on fuel, and had his family onboard. He further stated that although he was instrument rated, he was not comfortable flying at night and needed to get on the ground. I coordinated with ATC which switched me to a remote frequency. I was able to intercept the pilot in duress and escort him to another airfield where he was able to safely land. ‘Nuff said….

I flew into IMC for the first time back on Tuesday night, I had my instructor with me who holds his double I and we decided to go fly and if we had to grab a hotel at our XC airport we would. It was a wild experience, the first cloud i ever flew through i actually flinched when we punched into it. Then the wild feeling of what all my sensory input is saying is happening and what the instruments say is actually happening is such a crazy phenomenon that is impossible to convey to someone who hasnt experienced it. I know from what i was told by hundreds of other pilots either in person who i know, or on aviation subreddits or forums, I thought i knew what to expect, but when i actually flew into it there was nothing anyone could have said to prepare me for what i experienced. Great job documenting the humility it takes to learn the craft even with as much time as you have flying. When we stop learning and get complacent is when things get dangerous.

I'm doing my instrument right now, I've never felt my brain go so slow in my life. Multi is just unimaginable for me.

Kudos Steve - so many folks regard IFR as 'just another technique' and yet as you show, way more to it! Plenty of stress. :)

When your mentor is quiet and gives you one word answers....It was at that time, you know you've F'ed up...back on the horse, you got this!

Thank you Steve for your contributions to aviation. Priceless your level of honesty and humility and vulnerability. Let’s us all know we’re mortal and to be vigilant about how difficult and dangerous IFR flying can be, especially single pilot in a twin. There is a lot of shit going on and it’s very easy to get way behind the airplane.

To anyone watching this video: Please, please, please do not go below minimums - even in an emergency! Love your videos!

Mad respect for how you handle everything in flight and how honest you are in the videos. I started to get a little ill myself listening you talking about "it feels like we're in a descending right turn" and getting rattled by the turbulence. Made me remember knocking out all of the IMC time required for Private in one sitting. That was a looong flight for a 20 hour pilot.

I’ve been working on my multi engine and multi IFR simultaneously and we flew 1.5 hours in total IMC in a 310. I couldn’t believe how mentally taxing it is. We flew at 11000 and dealt with icing which was crazy

So good of you to share these Steve. Thousands and thousands of pilots benefiting massively I have no doubt. Great great work!

I have a wry smile on my face at the end of this video, 'cos you seem to beat yourself up the same as I do when something isn't right. The chasm of difference though is that I'm barely 100hrs P1 and still in nappies!

The aviation (specifically general aviation) industry is truly better off for FlightChops and similar channels that are not afraid to let us all learn from mistakes they make with humility, grace, and a metric fuck ton of insight. Truly an amazing video and channel!

Thanks for sharing this Steve, this was helpful for me as I start in to my IFR training..

Great video. Safe travels

Great content (again) and even better, great humility (again). Thanks for being honest and keeping the lessons real.

Long time fan, marveling in your progress. A fan since your touch and go flights out of Zillah.. you go boyyo!

Flying - Thumbs up !!! Thanks for sharing Steve.

The P2006T is a great economical twin IFR trainer, that makes you work hard and stay on your game. The new NG Sport with injected engines, 3 doors, and a fully integrated GFC 700 autopilot will be a game changer. A few extra inches MP on one engine will help a lot too!

Thank you for showing the real side of multi instrument flying training. I think a lot of students get discouraged, but it’s excellent for them to see what I think is a great pilot undergoing such a positive learning experience.