Thanks for sharing. Sounds like you have the right attitude, but…. Keep in mind, there were better options. Once you are IMC, climb and confess. Remember that there are other airplanes out there on IFR flight plans and there could have a been a departure or arrival at your destination. Also, there are towers that are sometimes unlit that you could have run into. Choosing to fly low under a cloud deck is not the best decision my brother. Glad you are safe and sound.
If you fly into fog (as you did) climb, climb, climb. By definition, fog is a low level ground cloud, you will get above it very quickly and be perfectly safe. Then fly somewhere with no fog, anywhere. Worse thing you can do (as you did) is try to fly under fog, and worse is to turn around and fly back to airport where the fog is. You are one lucky man, please be safe.
Good sharing. Flying straight out IF this happens to you and climb until a minimum safe altitude. Then contact ATC and ask for support if you aren’t instrument qualified… this was seriously close to an NTSB report.
Great job on staying calm and flying the aircraft. However, as a learning experience for any new/future pilots watching this, turning back wasn't the right choice. 1) Climb. Altitude is your friend. The moment you couldn't see you should have flown level wings and climbed. A banking maneuver for a non-IFR rated pilot in IMC is a recipe for disaster You can see in the video you were almost over the top of it at a few points. You would have been over there for in 30 seconds and from 3000 ft you would have been able to see the whole situation for miles around. 2) Contact Center. They're there to help. They could have told you where it was clear. Newer pilots are afraid or embarrassed to call Center and think they'll get into trouble. You won't get into trouble and they're great folks. Their job is to keep you safe. 3) NEVER EVER EVER enter a situation where you're thinking, "I think/hope this will work out." Hope it's not a plan. The worst part about this is the next time you'll think, "I made it last time, I'll be fine again." Just not a good mindset. Again, nice job staying calm and flying the plane. That is rule #1.
"A banking maneuver for a non-IFR rated pilot in IMC" Reminder that even IFR rated pilots lose their lives when they inadvertently fly VFR into IMC, and plenty have. IFR flights just start with a completely different mindset than VFR flights. VFR into IMC is always an emergency, even if you have plenty of IFR experience.
Yikes! Seems like you stayed calm and thought it through. Bet you will always check the weather from now on. Wonderful learning experience - nobody got hurt. We all have them. Kudos for sharing this. Thank you.
Wow. Thanks for sharing this experience. As a potential future pilot (hopefully) this is a great lesson. I particularly liked point #2 "Don't panic, just fly the airplane."
Love the video. Truth is most ppl at some point in their flying get themselves into something like this or something close to this, but most ppl don't have the guts to post it!
Why didn't you just climb. I can see the clear sky above the fog layer. Skud running at 100 feet is asking for trouble. But anyhow glad everything worked out for the better.
@@M11TS I saw VMC areas throughout his entire video. He had plenty opportunities to avoid the heavier spots. But as long as the outcome was good that's all that matters.
Good valid points made here in the comments. Just to add some considerations if you're thinking about climbing further into cloud. Do you know what the tops of the cloud are - will you come out the otherside? Are you you flying towards terrain? Where are you tracking? Check the temperature, consider icing conditions, which could get worse as you climb into could. Good learning experience for you 👍
Instrument meteorological conditions. If you’re in IMC conditions then you’re relying solely on your instruments to aviate. You have no visual reference for what is straight and level flight. He is supposed to be flying VFR, which is visual flight rules. Meaning you need to be able to see the horizon clearly to fly. When you fly into IMC then you’re switching to IFR, which is instrument flight rules. VFR pilots flying into IMC is pretty much one of the most dangerous things that can happen. It will often result in a pilot doing a death spiral into the ground. You get disoriented and you start banking, but since you have no visual on the horizon, you *feel* like you’re flying straight and level. However you’re not, you’re in a banked turn and descending.
This is over dramatized. This was a small shallow cloud bank and ground viability would still be reasonable most times. Normal piloting conditions really.
Thanks for sharing. Sounds like you have the right attitude, but…. Keep in mind, there were better options. Once you are IMC, climb and confess. Remember that there are other airplanes out there on IFR flight plans and there could have a been a departure or arrival at your destination. Also, there are towers that are sometimes unlit that you could have run into. Choosing to fly low under a cloud deck is not the best decision my brother. Glad you are safe and sound.
If you fly into fog (as you did) climb, climb, climb. By definition, fog is a low level ground cloud, you will get above it very quickly and be perfectly safe. Then fly somewhere with no fog, anywhere. Worse thing you can do (as you did) is try to fly under fog, and worse is to turn around and fly back to airport where the fog is. You are one lucky man, please be safe.
That was my immediate reaction watching this video.
Good sharing.
Flying straight out IF this happens to you and climb until a minimum safe altitude. Then contact ATC and ask for support if you aren’t instrument qualified… this was seriously close to an NTSB report.
Great job on staying calm and flying the aircraft. However, as a learning experience for any new/future pilots watching this, turning back wasn't the right choice.
1) Climb. Altitude is your friend. The moment you couldn't see you should have flown level wings and climbed. A banking maneuver for a non-IFR rated pilot in IMC is a recipe for disaster You can see in the video you were almost over the top of it at a few points. You would have been over there for in 30 seconds and from 3000 ft you would have been able to see the whole situation for miles around.
2) Contact Center. They're there to help. They could have told you where it was clear. Newer pilots are afraid or embarrassed to call Center and think they'll get into trouble. You won't get into trouble and they're great folks. Their job is to keep you safe.
3) NEVER EVER EVER enter a situation where you're thinking, "I think/hope this will work out." Hope it's not a plan. The worst part about this is the next time you'll think, "I made it last time, I'll be fine again." Just not a good mindset.
Again, nice job staying calm and flying the plane. That is rule #1.
"A banking maneuver for a non-IFR rated pilot in IMC"
Reminder that even IFR rated pilots lose their lives when they inadvertently fly VFR into IMC, and plenty have. IFR flights just start with a completely different mindset than VFR flights. VFR into IMC is always an emergency, even if you have plenty of IFR experience.
Yikes! Seems like you stayed calm and thought it through. Bet you will always check the weather from now on. Wonderful learning experience - nobody got hurt. We all have them. Kudos for sharing this. Thank you.
Wow. Thanks for sharing this experience. As a potential future pilot (hopefully) this is a great lesson. I particularly liked point #2 "Don't panic, just fly the airplane."
Same thing happened to me this summer! Very scary as I was only a student pilot on a solo flight. Thank you for the video.
Thank you for sharing your story and great job staying cool.
Excellent revovery and great self analysis.
Love the video. Truth is most ppl at some point in their flying get themselves into something like this or something close to this, but most ppl don't have the guts to post it!
Scud Run of the year 😳😳😳
Why didn't you just climb. I can see the clear sky above the fog layer. Skud running at 100 feet is asking for trouble. But anyhow glad everything worked out for the better.
Maybe because VFR pilots usually don't get into IMC that often.
@@M11TS I saw VMC areas throughout his entire video. He had plenty opportunities to avoid the heavier spots. But as long as the outcome was good that's all that matters.
Thanks for sharing and glad you are ok
Why not take La Porte or Valpo rather than scud-running back to Michigan City?
I remember my instructor always telling me, "fly the airplane," which you did. Good job.
Scary. Glad you got through it!
good advice, good lessons, and good flying!
Wow I'm surprised you even took off
Hadn't thought of bundling up in the Fall. How warm is the plane inside? Winter flying not practical?
_the faa has joined the chat_
in all seriousness good recap of an incident that could have ended badly. thanks for the video!
And this is why we ALWAYS do a weather briefing before we fly, right?
Good valid points made here in the comments. Just to add some considerations if you're thinking about climbing further into cloud.
Do you know what the tops of the cloud are - will you come out the otherside?
Are you you flying towards terrain? Where are you tracking?
Check the temperature, consider icing conditions, which could get worse as you climb into could.
Good learning experience for you 👍
what time of day was this ? Good work thank you for sharing.
Scary stuff...great job of saving yourself.
Good flying 👍
What's IMC stand for?
Instrument meteorological conditions. If you’re in IMC conditions then you’re relying solely on your instruments to aviate. You have no visual reference for what is straight and level flight.
He is supposed to be flying VFR, which is visual flight rules. Meaning you need to be able to see the horizon clearly to fly. When you fly into IMC then you’re switching to IFR, which is instrument flight rules.
VFR pilots flying into IMC is pretty much one of the most dangerous things that can happen. It will often result in a pilot doing a death spiral into the ground. You get disoriented and you start banking, but since you have no visual on the horizon, you *feel* like you’re flying straight and level. However you’re not, you’re in a banked turn and descending.
@@johnd9357 thanks for the information
Not very smart on your part! After 48 years in aviation you had clue before take off..... Made for a good youtube video though
We all make mistakes, and we learn from them, out own and others.
This is over dramatized. This was a small shallow cloud bank and ground viability would still be reasonable most times. Normal piloting conditions really.
Thanks to everyone who shared thoughtful and caring comments. Much appreciation.