Conservative personal minimums are a great place to start, but a good pilot will stretch those boundaries. This is a great example of a smart pilot taking an opportunity to challenge himself. He had a perfect alternate, plenty of time, fuel, and no "mission" to complete.
Really nice job. As a company check airman, there is nothing wrong with having another pilot or instructor with you if you want to explore your limits. Highly recommended. Our personal limits change over the years as we gain good experience. And in the words of John King, "How do we gain good experience? By learning from our bad experiences." Glass cockpits have revolutionized safety. Most of our pilots say the feel like gauge monitors when IFR. We have a mostly glass large fleet of aircraft. And judging by the high level of performance by our pilots, I'd agree.
As an ATP/CFII, although lost medical years ago, I wanted to compliment your video!! Your flying was top notch and the quality of the video, the inserts, etc. are very nice. Also, what a beautiful airplane!!! I see your video of when you bought it and will watch it next.
Personal minimums are a good thing if you’re not very comfortable. I will fly to minimums if there is an approach system operational that will allow me to go to minimums provided it looks like it’s moving towards conditions getting better. One of the things I fear in going to minimums is that you will get to the point where you may have conditions going below minimums and then you have to go to an alternate. When cost and budget for flying is limited, the last thing you want to do is fly an additional hour you were budgeted for to go to an alternate and wait the weather out. If it looks like conditioning is worsening, then I will not go simply because it would be too expensive to do so.
When NOT to change personal minimums may be the most important statement: That is when you are in the air or in IMC conditions! After 42 years fying, I have always flown by this rule: Your personal minimums should be well established with an instructor - that is one reason why recurrent training is required. Minimums are the first thing I discuss (on the ground before taking off for a review). I have recommended an increase of the minimums for many a pilot (when they are barely current and no longer as proficient as they should be.) Not all follow my recommendations; but that becomes their issue. A good pilot and instructor knows the difference between challenging and unsafe.
totally agree. In the full conversation Jason mentions that a good rule is that you can't change your minimums on the same day you are flying. Makes good sense to me.
Great video! I feel like I am flying along with you. I recommend putting a caveat in your personal minimums. If it is an airport you are familiar with and it is clear on top (in this case a thin layer) then go for it at 400'. New airport, new approach, soup from 400'-10k, I would be cancelling it. Just my thoughts. Happy flying!
T+ 13:38 Whoa! Huge chopper and a semi parking at chevrons. I know it’s unusable for take off and landings, and displaced threshold sets in pretty far down but it’s quite a surprise to see that huge chopper sat there.
Absolutely excellent job on the LPV. Nice and calm and great callouts and checklist items. Very good slow corrections and no needle chasing. Very inspiring to other IFR pilots.
I am not a big fan of "personal minimums". The reason is there are so many factors not included in any hard number. My personal minimums are 0/0 take off and published minimums for landing. Then add what you said, "I know I can complete this flight safely". The reason I don't do PM's is when the external factors kick in will you keep your promise? Take, for instance, I won't fly at night. But you promise your friend a great round trip somewhere but things get delayed and the next thing you know your going to land at night. Are you going to not fly back even if your friend has to work? There a risk factor model by Dr. Gordon Graham that is: High Risk, High Frequency High Risk, Low Frequency Low Risk, High Frequency Low Rick, Low Frequency and Discretionary Time (how much time do you have to make a decision) If you don't train to the minimums AND you break that minimum you are now it the High Risk, Low Frequency zone. Which is the most dangerous area possible. Flying to minimums at night is a very high risk endeavor, however, people do it safely. Because they are doing it all the time. They train for it. So the real question that needs to be asked is am I ready to do this, weighing all the factors, and can I do it with a acceptable risk factor. I took off at KSNA when it was 0/0 at night. What made that possible with a acceptable risk factor? 1. I had flew that route multiple times on my computer simulator. I had flew to KSNA when it was 0/0 and flew approaches in IMC knowing that it was going to a missed approach multiple times. That month I had flown multiple actual IMC trips both day and night. I had pre-planned if I had a engine out after take off. Mac Arthur runs parallel to the runway. Go for the street light glow and never stop flying. What if there is another type of mechanical failure? Fullerton is clear head straight there. Etc. This, I believe is the way actual Aeronautical Decision Making should be conducted. All known factors should be weighed together and a sober, conscious, reflective, affirmative, "yes" must be the answer or you don't do it.
Love the KCMA marine layer. I love that its my home base, but ive been waiting to finish my check ride for a month. Glad to see frequent uploads from here. Keep it uip.
Perfect timing from this video, I just earned my instrument rating and I can’t wait to do some single pilot IFR. Video was easy to follow and very interesting. I wish my home airport of KRNT had an ILS.
Always enjoy getting notified of new SCFM content, I know something great to watch is waiting for me! Great content, camera s/editing and most importantly flying!
I just watched this again what a great video.I’m sure you get it a lot but I sure do wish you had more frequent videos I love them. Again great job just getting my private hope to one day be as relaxed and confident as you are.
I’m trying to publish more frequently but it’s so time consuming. I also publish regular bonus content on our Patreon as well so trying to balance UA-cam content, Patreon content, work, life, family etc. I have a lot of fun stuff in the queue to edit!
New subscriber. I really like you taking us through some of the details. Fantastic editing! Oh and I love hearing R2D2 when you disconnected from auto-pilot! LOL
Hey @SoCalFlyingMonkey, what type of tablet/iPad mount you have in your cockpit. What’s the name of it, cause I’m planning a Dynon installation and like to place my iPad similar to your setup 😊
usually takes about 20-30 minutes for release due to burbank and van nuys so on a clear day in the valley it just makes sense to depart VFR and get it in the air once away from those airports...thats what I usually do.
Another great video. Question about the Dynon, I see the path marker, which sure is impressive on that crisp screen, does that system let you have a flight director up? Or was this approach hand flown on the raw data for your proficiency?
You can have the flight director function if you have the Dynon autopilot installed. Unfortunately it is not (yet) certified for the PA32. I hope it will be someday so I can install it. Technically the Trutrak autopilot is not certified for use on COUPLED APPROACHES (thats the legal phrase) so I hand fly all approaches unless in an emergency then I'll do what I need.
An older PA32 glides engine out at about -1200 FPM which gives you about 15 seconds to point that brick at something flat and pray. That’s beyond my personal minimums but it is a free country and you do you. No sarcasm intended.
Maybe there’s some local knowledge I’m not privy to, but why not pick up your IFR on the ground at the towered field? Great job. Personal minimums are a sliding scale that always need to be re-evaluated
usually takes about 20-30 minutes for release due to burbank and van nuys so on a clear day in the valley it just makes sense to depart VFR and get it in the air once away from those airports...
Cool I see you added some "pans" to you external cameras, what hardware is this and do you control these when flying do they have preset positions? THx, BMac
It’s a 360 camera and the moves are done in post production. I have a video tutorial series on our Patreon covering all the details if you’re trying to create similar shots.
Def going to try out that free Pateron tier! One day we'll have to 2-ship some pa-32 stuff! FYI the link is broken to it in your description, space before "P".
Eric, you're a professional cinematographer, not a professional pilot. Single pilot, single engine IMC is risky. My father was a Navy pilot and Aviation Attorney (accident investigator), I've heard all the stories. Your approach and landing would have been more taxing if you were IMC the whole flight. Keep you and your family safe. Excellent instructional video.
Yes there is definitely risk involved and we have to weigh them before each flight and in consideration when choosing our own personal mins. Everyone has different tolerance for risk.
In a single engine I still like to keep 800 mins because I don’t trust engines. If the engine quits that gives me one minute after coming out the base of the clouds to maneuver for a off airport landing that’s survivable.
I'm in Australia so this may be silly, but is clearing you to use the RNAV also allowing IFR? I didn't hear anything that changed your VFR requirement from the first controller? Cheers
once they use the phrases"Cleared to" and "Maintain" together it is an instrument clearance. So she initially cleared me on an instrument clearance to Camarillo and the next controller cleared me for the approach "Cleared RNAV..." I had on the ground filed a flight plan with aircraft and pilot details and the initial controller pulled that up when assigning the first transponder code.
You and Jason probably know this already, but his mic on the Zoom call was still routed for his computer mic and not the SM7b. Just so he can check for next time.
Ah yes, inside the 5 freeway which almost marks the border with the inner core BUR Class C airspace. Local landmark and would be confusing to non local pilots.
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Conservative personal minimums are a great place to start, but a good pilot will stretch those boundaries. This is a great example of a smart pilot taking an opportunity to challenge himself. He had a perfect alternate, plenty of time, fuel, and no "mission" to complete.
thanks!!!
Really nice job.
As a company check airman, there is nothing wrong with having another pilot or instructor with you if you want to explore your limits. Highly recommended. Our personal limits change over the years as we gain good experience. And in the words of John King, "How do we gain good experience? By learning from our bad experiences."
Glass cockpits have revolutionized safety. Most of our pilots say the feel like gauge monitors when IFR. We have a mostly glass large fleet of aircraft. And judging by the high level of performance by our pilots, I'd agree.
As an ATP/CFII, although lost medical years ago, I wanted to compliment your video!! Your flying was top notch and the quality of the video, the inserts, etc. are very nice.
Also, what a beautiful airplane!!! I see your video of when you bought it and will watch it next.
Personal minimums are a good thing if you’re not very comfortable. I will fly to minimums if there is an approach system operational that will allow me to go to minimums provided it looks like it’s moving towards conditions getting better. One of the things I fear in going to minimums is that you will get to the point where you may have conditions going below minimums and then you have to go to an alternate. When cost and budget for flying is limited, the last thing you want to do is fly an additional hour you were budgeted for to go to an alternate and wait the weather out. If it looks like conditioning is worsening, then I will not go simply because it would be too expensive to do so.
When NOT to change personal minimums may be the most important statement: That is when you are in the air or in IMC conditions! After 42 years fying, I have always flown by this rule: Your personal minimums should be well established with an instructor - that is one reason why recurrent training is required. Minimums are the first thing I discuss (on the ground before taking off for a review). I have recommended an increase of the minimums for many a pilot (when they are barely current and no longer as proficient as they should be.) Not all follow my recommendations; but that becomes their issue. A good pilot and instructor knows the difference between challenging and unsafe.
totally agree. In the full conversation Jason mentions that a good rule is that you can't change your minimums on the same day you are flying. Makes good sense to me.
Haven’t watched for a while. Back now and simply wow! Your confidence in the plane, your (updated) cockpit and yourself is great to see! Awesome mate!
Welcome back! Thank you!
Great video, Eric. This is exactly the kind of stuff that I’m looking to watch as I work toward my instrument rating.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video! I feel like I am flying along with you. I recommend putting a caveat in your personal minimums. If it is an airport you are familiar with and it is clear on top (in this case a thin layer) then go for it at 400'. New airport, new approach, soup from 400'-10k, I would be cancelling it. Just my thoughts. Happy flying!
T+ 13:38 Whoa! Huge chopper and a semi parking at chevrons. I know it’s unusable for take off and landings, and displaced threshold sets in pretty far down but it’s quite a surprise to see that huge chopper sat there.
Absolutely excellent job on the LPV. Nice and calm and great callouts and checklist items. Very good slow corrections and no needle chasing. Very inspiring to other IFR pilots.
Having watched your channel these last few years, I'm impressed how much you've progressed . You've come a long way... I'd fly with you any day..
thank you! I appreciate it.
Thanks for saying that as you entered the clouds . Ive had my IFR for about 3 years and I havent been able to shake that yet.
Doing my IFR training now. Exciting to see this. Headed over to your patreon now. Great Video!!
hope you find useful stuff on Patreon. We have a lot of Instrument Flying videos and a great DIscord community with a few CFIs- its been super fun.
Eric, great VID, nice work on the camera shots! I love IFR! Keep them coming! Very educational as well! Thank you. Don NE/Ohio 🙂
Another great video! Just passed my instrument check ride a couple weeks ago, I’m looking forward to using it!
Congrats!!!! In the clouds is super fun!
Great video and beautiful editing as usual! I’m an instrument student and this content is helpful. Thank you
Thanks! Glad you found it helpful!
I am not a big fan of "personal minimums". The reason is there are so many factors not included in any hard number. My personal minimums are 0/0 take off and published minimums for landing. Then add what you said, "I know I can complete this flight safely". The reason I don't do PM's is when the external factors kick in will you keep your promise? Take, for instance, I won't fly at night. But you promise your friend a great round trip somewhere but things get delayed and the next thing you know your going to land at night. Are you going to not fly back even if your friend has to work?
There a risk factor model by Dr. Gordon Graham that is:
High Risk, High Frequency
High Risk, Low Frequency
Low Risk, High Frequency
Low Rick, Low Frequency
and Discretionary Time (how much time do you have to make a decision)
If you don't train to the minimums AND you break that minimum you are now it the High Risk, Low Frequency zone. Which is the most dangerous area possible. Flying to minimums at night is a very high risk endeavor, however, people do it safely. Because they are doing it all the time. They train for it. So the real question that needs to be asked is am I ready to do this, weighing all the factors, and can I do it with a acceptable risk factor.
I took off at KSNA when it was 0/0 at night. What made that possible with a acceptable risk factor? 1. I had flew that route multiple times on my computer simulator. I had flew to KSNA when it was 0/0 and flew approaches in IMC knowing that it was going to a missed approach multiple times. That month I had flown multiple actual IMC trips both day and night.
I had pre-planned if I had a engine out after take off. Mac Arthur runs parallel to the runway. Go for the street light glow and never stop flying. What if there is another type of mechanical failure? Fullerton is clear head straight there. Etc. This, I believe is the way actual Aeronautical Decision Making should be conducted. All known factors should be weighed together and a sober, conscious, reflective, affirmative, "yes" must be the answer or you don't do it.
Love the KCMA marine layer. I love that its my home base, but ive been waiting to finish my check ride for a month. Glad to see frequent uploads from here. Keep it uip.
thanks for the encouragement. KCMA is a great airport. Waypoint Cafe!
Perfect timing from this video, I just earned my instrument rating and I can’t wait to do some single pilot IFR. Video was easy to follow and very interesting. I wish my home airport of KRNT had an ILS.
Is that Renton? I landed there once and flew the approach to minimums. I guess it was a GPS approach- it was a few years ago!
Indeed it is
I’ve been waiting for a video to come out. Love it
thanks for watching!
Hell yeah! It's great to push yourself a little more than usual when you feel confident to do it. That is the dolche de aviation.
I'm currently working on my IR ticket and this video was helpful from beginning to end. Great content!
Glad it was helpful!
Remarkable pictures, audios, screen splits and details highlighting. Thanks.
thank you so much!
Always enjoy getting notified of new SCFM content, I know something great to watch is waiting for me! Great content, camera s/editing and most importantly flying!
Thanks! I enjoy seeing how your content is coming along…
Hello! I am from Brazil and I fly senecas and Arrows down here. Nice video! Great approach!
Excellent Approach, very useful video and I liked your landing, touching down on the mains rather than a flat landing in a Cherokee 6 is a big thing.
Kcrq almost all year round can bet you really good IFR approaches too and they are very accommodating it’s not too busy
yeah that's a good call!
Man awesome! Easily my favorite UA-cam channel thank you
I just watched this again what a great video.I’m sure you get it a lot but I sure do wish you had more frequent videos I love them. Again great job just getting my private hope to one day be as relaxed and confident as you are.
I’m trying to publish more frequently but it’s so time consuming. I also publish regular bonus content on our Patreon as well so trying to balance UA-cam content, Patreon content, work, life, family etc. I have a lot of fun stuff in the queue to edit!
New subscriber. I really like you taking us through some of the details. Fantastic editing!
Oh and I love hearing R2D2 when you disconnected from auto-pilot! LOL
Welcome! Thank you! Yeah the R2D2 sound on A/P disconnect is a fun touch that I added to my audio panel/AP Disco trigger. :)
Congrats on setting new personal minimum, will greatly feel at ease now that you will do them more often and be a safer pilot!!! congrats
Thanks! Every flight in the clouds gets a little more comfortable but I’m keeping an eye out to avoid complacency.
Thank you for sharing! I encourage my students to watch your videos
Oh wow thank you!
Amazing! So cool to see your growth trajectory !
Thank you!
Always great videos. Thanks. Seems an odd place to refuel a helicopter on the displaced threshold.
ABSOLUTELY LOVE your video's!! ✨
Whatched them all from a few weeks ago...✨
Thanx a mill & keep it up !
👍
Thanks so much!!
Another great video! Still putting a out a great product that people can learn from.
thanks so much. I truly appreciate that!
well executed approach.. thanks eric!
Doing my Instrument training now.... can't wait to fly in actual
hope this one is helpful for you!
I can say that you make the most professional videos on UA-cam!
It helps that he’s a professional cinematographer with years of experience. Quality work and it shows.
thanks!!! I appreciate it!!
Hey @SoCalFlyingMonkey, what type of tablet/iPad mount you have in your cockpit. What’s the name of it, cause I’m planning a Dynon installation and like to place my iPad similar to your setup 😊
Eric, Nice stabilized hand flown approach.
Thank you!!
Great video & great job! I wonder the didn’t gave you the clearance. Is that normal at Whitman?
usually takes about 20-30 minutes for release due to burbank and van nuys so on a clear day in the valley it just makes sense to depart VFR and get it in the air once away from those airports...thats what I usually do.
@@SoCalFlyingMonkey makes sense
Another great video. Question about the Dynon, I see the path marker, which sure is impressive on that crisp screen, does that system let you have a flight director up? Or was this approach hand flown on the raw data for your proficiency?
You can have the flight director function if you have the Dynon autopilot installed. Unfortunately it is not (yet) certified for the PA32. I hope it will be someday so I can install it. Technically the Trutrak autopilot is not certified for use on COUPLED APPROACHES (thats the legal phrase) so I hand fly all approaches unless in an emergency then I'll do what I need.
nice flight into IMC, but with a CFII ..much, much better for safety & skill honing
Great video! content and format.
Thanks so much!
Love that glass 🔥🔥🔥
I've been flying IFR for 30 years and I still feel that little twinge descending into a cloud deck when I know the bases are low!
Especially when there are a few more turns before final! :)
I think it’s a good thing since it keeps you from being complacent.
An older PA32 glides engine out at about -1200 FPM which gives you about 15 seconds to point that brick at something flat and pray. That’s beyond my personal minimums but it is a free country and you do you. No sarcasm intended.
Awesome video!! Question, what means when the twr said in the takeoff clearance "inside the five?"
They mean East of the 5 freeway.
@@SoCalFlyingMonkey thanks!!
Great job, it’s great for pilots to Chalanger themselves and know their limits.
Well done!
no carb heat? I was taught anytime on decent and for sure through a cloud its a good idea, is that something you'd add next time?
its a fuel injected engine. There is no carburetor
Maybe there’s some local knowledge I’m not privy to, but why not pick up your IFR on the ground at the towered field? Great job. Personal minimums are a sliding scale that always need to be re-evaluated
usually takes about 20-30 minutes for release due to burbank and van nuys so on a clear day in the valley it just makes sense to depart VFR and get it in the air once away from those airports...
Cool I see you added some "pans" to you external cameras, what hardware is this and do you control these when flying do they have preset positions?
THx, BMac
It’s a 360 camera and the moves are done in post production. I have a video tutorial series on our Patreon covering all the details if you’re trying to create similar shots.
Def going to try out that free Pateron tier! One day we'll have to 2-ship some pa-32 stuff! FYI the link is broken to it in your description, space before "P".
thanks for the heads up!
Great video. Thank you for sharing
thanks for watching and for the comment!
Finally!! Thanks ❤
enjoy!
For such a short route what did you file? WHP VNY CMA? or TEC route?
I think I filed the TEC route...WHP FIM KCMA, knowing that picking it up in the air would almost certainly result in either vectors or direct suana.
Eric, you're a professional cinematographer, not a professional pilot. Single pilot, single engine IMC is risky. My father was a Navy pilot and Aviation Attorney (accident investigator), I've heard all the stories. Your approach and landing would have been more taxing if you were IMC the whole flight. Keep you and your family safe. Excellent instructional video.
Yes there is definitely risk involved and we have to weigh them before each flight and in consideration when choosing our own personal mins. Everyone has different tolerance for risk.
@@SoCalFlyingMonkey Yes, you appear to be a safe, smart pilot. Those marine layers in CA are a great way to practice. Not too deep.
Sounded like R2D2 when the autopilot disconnected 😂
It IS R2D2! :)
Very nice approach...
thanks!
You think you'd often run into a scenario where you have to push your current minimum lower? Nice one by the way.
Probably not. It would be nice to train to ILS mins to be confident in case weather ever pushed lower unexpectedly
In a single engine I still like to keep 800 mins because I don’t trust engines. If the engine quits that gives me one minute after coming out the base of the clouds to maneuver for a off airport landing that’s survivable.
That's a good point and something to consider. In the 6, that 800 feet with no engine is like 5 seconds.. HAHA
I'm in Australia so this may be silly, but is clearing you to use the RNAV also allowing IFR? I didn't hear anything that changed your VFR requirement from the first controller? Cheers
once they use the phrases"Cleared to" and "Maintain" together it is an instrument clearance. So she initially cleared me on an instrument clearance to Camarillo and the next controller cleared me for the approach "Cleared RNAV..." I had on the ground filed a flight plan with aircraft and pilot details and the initial controller pulled that up when assigning the first transponder code.
@@SoCalFlyingMonkey thanks mate, another great video 👏
You and Jason probably know this already, but his mic on the Zoom call was still routed for his computer mic and not the SM7b. Just so he can check for next time.
I didn’t realize that. We’ll get it next time thanks!
I'm sure you've been asked a million times, but what iPad mount are you using? Thanks
its the MyGoflight mount
I've never heard that before. What did ATC mean when they said, "Inside the 5"? Is that an airport specific statement?
Not sure what that means either.
Ah yes, inside the 5 freeway which almost marks the border with the inner core BUR Class C airspace. Local landmark and would be confusing to non local pilots.
see reply below...
Great video. Like !!!!!!
Good SRM
Thanks!
Wtf is a helicopter and truck doing on the approach end of the runway.. seems like they are asking for an accident
nice
Fellow 6 (“Saratoga”) pilot. I’m jealous of your clean belly :)
That’s a new thing. Haha. Im in the habit of wiping it down every flight or two.