Flying VFR into IMC - a top KILLER of pilots - My close call!

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• published: 29 Jan 2014
• views: 341016

POV - FLYING - Watch in HD! This is by far the hardest flying video I've had to make. It was a very difficult story to tell about a pivotal flight from my more than 15 years of VFR flying experience. Luckily I had 2 GoPros along for the ride. I tried to tell the story in a thorough yet engaging way; thus, it was the most work I've put into editing one of these; (~20 hours!) so I hope you enjoy it! I am sharing so that others can learn from my close call, and avoid falling into the trap of "get-home-itis". How did a safe and conscientious pilot such as myself get into this situation? This "should have" been a routine flight, but the lesson here is that there is no such thing as a "routine flight". Many variables contributed to the chain of events that lead to this flight going the way it did. I try to explore them all and share the lessons I learned in doing so. Thankfully, the outcome was good. This flight inspired me to finally start IFR training which I'd been considering doing for years. I still plan to fly privately for fun, and don't intend to do much "actual" IFR flying... (I'll do my best to maintain IFR currency and practice, but I won't be shooting approaches to minimums on a regular basis). DISCLAIMER: I am a "weekend warrior" private pilot, I fly for fun with no intentions of going commercial. I have had my PPL for over 15 years, but still consider each flight a learning experience - I generally take detailed notes after each flight to remind myself what went well or what I could do to improve.... Having the GoPro cameras to record flights like this is invaluable. I find these self analysis videos very helpful in my constant quest to improve, and am happy to share.Feed back is invited; however, please keep it positive