IFR for VFR Pilots: An Exercise in Survival

by Richard L. Taylor

Continued VFR into IFR conditions persists as the most frequent cause of weather-related accidents. This book provides the bare-bones essentials of instrument flying technique and procedures so urgently needed in order to cope with and survive an inadvertent encounter with low-visibility IFR conditions.

For this "IFR survival guide," Richard Taylor has adapted the key lifesaving elements of IFR discipline to the average VFR pilot's capabilities. Here are complete instructions in a simplified "hands-off" flying technique that minimizes the risks of loss of control when outside visual clues are lost. The physiological causes of spatial disorientation are explained, giving valuable insights into IFR's most treacherous aspect. A chapter contributed by noted pscyhologist and flight instructor Dr. Jerald Cockrell tells how to control fear and panic in the cockpit.

Should air traffic control assistance be necessary, IFR for VFR Pilots tells how to communicate effectively and how to use ATC to fly out of a low-visibility predicament. The book guides you step-by-step through the essential procedures of DF steers, radar vectors, and other ATC "assists." VOR and DF fixes, VOR approaches, low-visibility landing technique, even the missed approach, are clearly explained with typical Taylor expertise.

IFR for VFR Pilots is a must for all fair-weather fliers, however proficient and cautious they may be. Its no-nonsense approach has a lot to say to the seasoned instrument-rated pilot as well.

Genres: Aviation

138 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Jen Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, but interesting read. This second edition was published in the '90s, so it is obviously dated. It also assumes that your aircraft comes equipped with a certain minimum of equipment - e.g. radio, attitude indicator, and capability for VOR navigation (!).

My aircraft doesn't have any of those things - no radio, no attitude indicator, no electronic navigation aids, no transponder - and I still found enough in this book to make it worth the time I spent reading it.

It's aimed at getting you out of the deadly trouble you're in if you end up in IFR conditions when you're only VFR capable, so the author has kept to the minimum necessary. Even without the chapters dealing with electronic navigation, there's still enough about how to adjust your flying to minimise the chance of death that I think this should be useful to anyone.

[Jennifer Smolek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and informative; enough to recognize when you need help, who to ask, and convince you to ask for it.