Wednesday, December 9, 2009

[Titanaircraft] Re: SLSA for IFR?

Hi guys ---

I've been sitting on the sidelines here for a while watching the traffic, and needed to jump in. Anyone who feels that they NEED an autopilot to fly IFR in IMC should be doing NEITHER. Most LSA's are too light in weight to be really good IFR platforms anyway, and I wouldn't think it advisable to do a 2-hour solid IFR flight in any plane smaller than a C-172. With all that aside, IMHO the reason that one may want to fly an LSA in IMC conditions would be to get through an overcast layer at their destination that may exist due to marine layer (common out here in California). In this case, most of the IFR flying will be done in the approach environment, where an autopilot really isn't useful --- you should be spending your time managing the airplane on the approach.

I have flown in solid IMC conditions (heavy rain and turbulence) for three straight hours with no autopilot. Yes, an autopilot would have been nice to give me a rest every half hour or so, but to need to RELY on an autopilot to fly straight and level in IFR conditions is the mark of a pilot who shouldn't be flying IFR --- if they need the support of an autopilot to manage what is a basic instrument scan, they should not be in the air.

--- In Titanaircraft@yahoogroups.com, "pmjohn12000" <pmj1@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> --- In Titanaircraft@yahoogroups.com, "ls78705" <lstavenhagen@> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In Titanaircraft@yahoogroups.com, "daleandee" <daleandee@> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Roger,
> > >
> > > As you know the Sonex has neutral stability and generally goes where
> > > you point it. I don't find it to be nearly as "hands off" stable as
> > > most of the G.A. trainers.
> > >
> > > Could I fly mine IFR with the Garmin 196? If I have my way I'll never
> > > find that out. The wing leveler would make it much more doable if I
> > > didn't have my way though ...
> > >
> > > Dale
> > > N28YD
> >
> > Just FYI, approach certified IFR GPS's will automatically update waypoints and also increase sensitivity as you approach them. These features usually aren't available on non-certificated GPS's even if they have approaches in their DB's. This is probably the only reason, besides the legal ones of course, ;), that they're not suitable for actually shooting approaches.
> >
> > There may be some other features missing too that I can't remember off the top of my head.
> >
> > As for the autopilot, get a 2-axis if you do intend to fly IFR. Those make enroute travel practically automatic. that way, when it comes time to shoot the arrival and approach you're fresh and didn't have to keep up your scan for 2 hours ;).
> > This is critical in a slow plane due to the length of the enroute legs...
> >
> > LS
> >
>
> LS
>
> Just a quesion from a newbie to aviation. You suggested getting a 2 axis autopilot here. Why not get a 3 axis autopilot? Wouldn't that be better for a slow trip?
>
> Phil
>


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