How do you deal with clouds

[lieberma]

I figured to add this subject line since there was one already on turbulence.

Actually, there is a reason I ask, as early this afternoon, I will be doing my first IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) flight from Madison Mississippi to Covington Louisiana.

I wouldn't be asking this so much if I was going by myself, but I am taking my wife with me. Naturally, and understandably, she is a little more nervous about this then a normal VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flight. She has flown with me many times down to Covington, so other then being in the clouds, the route and estimated time enroute will be the same.

I explained to her the following, and see if this would work with you all on your first flight in the clouds.

We will go to the end of the runway and talk to air traffic control (ATC) to let them know we are ready to receive our clearance. Clearance means "permission" to leave the ground and also means that additional instructions will be given to me as I depart. The additional instructions may be turn a certain way or climb to a certain altitude.

This would be nothing new to my wife as I usually do talk to air traffic control after I leave the ground, but not before. She is used to me talking to ATC so this will not add to the stress level.

I explained to my wife, that after we leave the ground, ATC will tell us what direction to go, and we will enter the clouds in about 3 minutes after we leave the ground. (clouds are now 1,200 feet above the grond). I explained that we will be in the clouds for about 2 to 3 minutes and then we will be out on top of the clouds. Once I am out of the clouds, we should be in the "clear" for the cruise part of the flight. I am planning on flying at 5000 feet, which would put me about 2000 feet above the top layer of the clouds.

What I would like to see from others, is while we are in the clouds, in addition to quoting all 50 states in alphabetical order :wired , what else could she do to reduce the stress level. My first thought is to have her focus on the attitude indicator (attitude indicator is the instrument that shows blue for the sky on the top half and brown on the bottom half for the ground). Sitting in the front of the plane sure allows alot of viewing as compared to a window seat in seat 6A.

As it stands now, the expected forecast is for clearing skies as I proceed south, and while I am descending, I do expect to be in partly cloudy conditions. So, this means we will be in and out of clouds.

We are staying overnight, and returning tomorrow, so tomorrow I will post what happens. I will check this forum 12:00 central time with the hopes to see some tips :hamster

Allen

[WillFlyToDisney2]

Sounds fun, Allen! The only way I can deal with flying thru clouds is to shut my little window shade and turn up the Ipod. If your wife gets nervous have her focus on something inside the plane (since she can't see anything OUT of the plane) or just shut her eyes until you tell her it is all clear.

Cant wait for the TRIP REPORT!

Kelley

[Disney fan]

I really prefer not to watch the movement of the clouds as we go through them. It gives me a disorientated feeling!

I prefer to focus on a stationery object inside the plane as Kelley as already suggested.

Lynda

[lieberma]

If your wife gets nervous have her focus on something inside the plane (since she can't see anything OUT of the plane)

Thanks for the suggestion Kelly!

Now that you brought that up, she is reading a book, so I will ask her to bring the book along for the ride.

I just finished getting an updated briefing from Flight Services. The clouds are now layered for the first 50 miles. So, depending on the altitude of the layer, we may be in the clouds more then I initially expected.

The "good news" is that when the clouds are layered, this gives us a better chance of a smoother flight.

I am hoping that my cruise altitude will put me between the layers rather then in one for my wifes sake.

Me, if I was by myself, I wouldn't mind the challenge of "hard IFR". Hard IFR is defined as a flight in the clouds, You can fly IFR above the clouds.

I am always amazed that I can get from one city to another without looking out the window enroute. Of course, I do need to look out the window for takeoff and landing :fly unless you have special ratings where you can land a plane without seeing out the window. I myself, am glad to see the ground before landing! :hyped

Allen

[lieberma]

I really prefer not to watch the movement of the clouds as we go through them.

Lynda,

It's funny you say this, because during my IFR )Instrument Flight Rule) training, I had one flight where I popped in and out of clouds.

I actually found it easier to be in complete IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) then to be distracted with the clouds outside the window.

I felt the speed of 120 mph, as those partly cloudy clouds zipped by the window! :hyped :hyped :hyped

Allen

[Passenger Mark]

Howdy...

Sorry to be late with this... but for your next flight...

My first thought is to have her focus on the attitude indicator (attitude indicator)...

That is the best advice I could give. Not just the attitude indicator, but all of the instruments.

When I have had a nervous passenger with me, I give them a job to do. Monitor the oil pressure, speed, anything to keep their mind busy. Sort-of a co-pilot position. I also talk through what I am doing.

I really don't need them to do it, as I am anyways... but it keeps them busy!

The only problem is when I call "gear down" in a Cessna 172 with FIXED GEAR... in other words it never comes up!

But this is a habit that my instructor got me into in case I ever move up to aircraft with retractable gear.


Mark

[lieberma]

Cant wait for the TRIP REPORT!
Hi Kelly,

I have posted to the flight reports discussion forum, the outcome of my trip. For me, it was grrreeaaat! For my wife, I will leave the suspense of her feelings in the flight report forum. :lol

Allen

[spleisher]

Mark,

Do you pretend to lower the gear when you're making the "gear down" call for the imaginary gear... Just kidding! That's actually a good practice!

Scott

[DukeBlue02]

Hi Allen-

I am a very nervous flyer, but my uncle has a Bonanza six-seater and has begun taking me up from time to time. We flew twice before and both times were IFR- I was VERY nervous about this, and flying into clouds and everything. But, he carefully went over all the controls and the dials, and explained to me that IFR is really very very safe, even safer than VFR, because the instruments are always correct (especially with plane orientation)- which was so right- I felt like we were turning really steep once, only to look over at the controls and find that we were in fact flying level!- weird.

However, those controls really helped me, especially the storm scope- he has a storm scope that shows a red dot on the screen if any convective activity is detected. So every time a HUGE cloud was right in front of us, I would get really nervous, but then look over at the storm scope, see that there wasn't any convective activity, and it helped me realize that there wasn't anything in those clouds ahead that would be dangerous...it could be a little bumpy, and I would just see white, but it wouldn't be dangerous. That helped me tremendously!

In fact, last week we flew to Charlotte (only 30 min flight), and we flew IFR there, but switched to VFR once we were about 20 miles out on the way back- (in fact, he had me talk to ATC and say "airport in sight", and we terminated IFR and changed over to squawk 1200) and I suddenly got very nervous- I wasn't as keen relying on what I saw around me rather than really focusing on the instruments.....so I actually really prefer IFR b/c I have a ton of faith in those instruments. So, I'm sure you've explained the instruments to your wife, but maybe reinforcing that could help her out.

By the way- I still hate commercial flying, but I actually love flying with my uncle now- I even turned the plane and adjusted the throttle several times last flight with him (under his direction of course)-:airplane but that is something I never would have done the first couple of times flying with him. In fact, the first time I felt like if I touched anything the plane would fall out of the sky! I just sat there like a statue :)

-P

[lieberma]

By the way- I still hate commercial flying, but I actually love flying with my uncle now- I even turned the plane and adjusted the throttle several times last flight with him (under his direction of course)-
P,

Isn't this great!!! Before you know it, you just may be at your local airport signing up for lessons!! :handglide

Allen