Newly minted Instrument Rated DA40 pilot

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Chris B
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Newly minted Instrument Rated DA40 pilot

Post by Chris B »

Since late September I've been flying with my CFII about twice a week, and finally passed my check ride on Tuesday (February 4th). w00t!

The length of the check ride was surprising, certainly compared to my PPL. We formally started at 9:45 am with the oral exam, and didn't turn off the engine after the practical until almost 5 pm. Even accounting for the hour break (to eat, bio, file, & pre-flight) it was a very long day. But with a happy ending. :thumbsup:

The next day I went flying just for fun, and the weather had the audacity to deviate from the forecast! So although I'd planned to fly VFR both ways, on the way back I filed OTG and flew my first solo in actual IMC. The assigned altitude was at the upper edge of the overcast layer.

Skimming through the tops of benign fluffy clouds for 30 minutes is *awesome*! I'm still smiling! :D

Chris
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Colin
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Re: Newly minted Instrument Rated DA40 pilot

Post by Colin »

Great job, Chris. Congratulations! It's so liberating not to worry about that overcast layer.

Stay current. That's the hard part.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
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Antoine
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Re: Newly minted Instrument Rated DA40 pilot

Post by Antoine »

My warmest congratulations Chris. Enjoy and please stay safe.
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Gasser
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Re: Newly minted Instrument Rated DA40 pilot

Post by Gasser »

Congrats. I filed my first IFR flight home from my check ride right at cloud level and popped in and out of clouds on the way home. Loved the question from approach on the way home. "Which approach would you like?" I'll take GPS 17 please! "Cleared for the approach!" Awesome day.
Jeff

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Rick
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Re: Newly minted Instrument Rated DA40 pilot

Post by Rick »

Way to go, Chris! Congratulations! :thumbsup:
Roanoke, VA (KROA)
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Gnomad
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Re: Newly minted Instrument Rated DA40 pilot

Post by Gnomad »

Congrats Chris! Such an awesome rating to have. That check ride sounded brutal, never heard of an all day one, you should be proud!

File often!
Eric


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Re: Newly minted Instrument Rated DA40 pilot

Post by CFIDave »

Congratulations! -- all that hard work will pay off with much greater aircraft utility and lead to fun trips to enjoyable places. :thumbsup:
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eHotAir
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Re: Newly minted Instrument Rated DA40 pilot

Post by eHotAir »

:D Congrats :D I love seeing those posts. I'm in the middle of my IFR training. With work, I'm hoping to be finished by May. Thanks for sharing. I'll post when I have a great story like yours.
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Re: Newly minted Instrument Rated DA40 pilot

Post by Antoine »

Chris B wrote:Skimming through the tops of benign fluffy clouds for 30 minutes is *awesome*! I'm still smiling! :D

Chris
Little hint from a cloud addict: ask for an altitude block clearance and go playing with the cumulus tops. The mild "g"s add a lot to the fun and if your passenger can cope, they will be thrilled.
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Tim M
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Re: Newly minted Instrument Rated DA40 pilot

Post by Tim M »

Congratulations! When I earned mine, my CFII gave me this advice and I now pass it to you: file IFR on every XC trip even if it's a severe CAVU day. It will keep you "tuned up" and better organized on every trip. You will learn to use the radio as if it was second nature and your general situation awareness will increase significantly over what you may have under VFR. My wife and I primarily use our airplane for transportation and flying in the system under IFR gets us from A to B with minimum fuss and because our meat computers are fully engaged from takeoff to landing, the time seems to pass more enjoyably.

We still fly VFR for local sightseeing with friends and of course for training and currency, but otherwise it's all IFR. We are based under the DFW shelf so what would normally be a 30 minute circuitous VFR trip to one of the local airports through, or more commonly around, the DFW Bravo from our base, can often be cut in half by flying IFR.
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