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References in periodicals archive

Visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions: An empirical investigation of the possible causes.

Psychological factors affecting pilots' decisions to navigate in deteriorating weather

ss ss Instrument meteorological conditions. n n Visual meteorological conditions.

Factors associated with pilot fatalities in work-related aircraft crashes -- Alaska, 1990-1999

As expected, IMC is significant with a positive coefficient at the 0.01 level, indicating that the severity of accidents goes up when pilots encounter instrument meteorological conditions. This supports the common sense notion that worse accidents are more likely to happen during bad weather than during good weather.

Risk of accidents and the policy of forced retirement

At the top of the range airspace and still in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), Titan 11 declared an emergency for Titan 13 and coordinated separate clearances.

Aircrew safety: award of distinction

The NTSB determined the probable cause(s) of this accident to include: "The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to depart on and continue a flight over mountainous terrain into forecast instrument meteorological conditions, icing, and hazardous wind conditions that exceeded the airplanes performance capabilities and resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain."

Familiarity, Contempt: Accomplishing several no-drama flights over the same route doesn't mean the next one won't pose a problem

However, I can tell you that, when they hit your windscreen, combined with a setting sun in the west, you're basically IMC (instrument meteorological conditions).

Clear blue and in the goo

Those radio and IFF malfunctions were minor irritants when flying in good weather, but added up to significant problems in solid instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

Minimums are not always enough!

According to the NTSB, "Although it is possible that the pilot may have experienced spatial disorientation, there was insufficient evidence to conclude that spatial disorientation contributed to the accident." The rather unhelpful probable cause finding: "The pilot's loss of airplane control while attempting to fly a missed approach procedure in instrument meteorological conditions."

Missing The miss: Accidents occurring during missed approaches reveal instrument pilots still need to work on preventing spatial disorientation and loss of control

So how can you provide positive aircraft separation to non-radar-equipped aircraft in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) during operational contingencies?

A big aircraft, little sky!

In fact, an IPC can be accomplished without filing an IFR flight plan, flying in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), talking to ATC, operating in dense airspace (i.e., Class A, B, C or D), or checking the weather and its associated risks (if flying only in the local area with a view-limiting device and safety pilot under visual flight rules).

IPC scenarios: the FAA's new airman certification standards require applying risk management principles to the instrument proficiency check

The FAA has a category devoted just to this problem--"Continued Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight into Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC)." It is one of the larger categories for civil-aviation mishaps.

When pigs fly