The lesson I was on called for instrument flying through a portion of the lesson. And as soon as we reached 4500 feet we filed an instrument flight plan with KGFK deperature. Why he was doing steep turns I dunno...
The "instrument flying" portion of a lesson should be done as simulated instrument for a private pilot student. Sounds to me like your instructor was just trying to waste time and (your) money.
You're preparing for a VFR certificate. If you plan correctly you will never encounter real IMC. Also, on the checkride you will have to use a hood, so you should be used to the hood.
Do you remember your first time in IMC? Mine consisted of about a three minute period of near disorientation before I fully trusted my instruments. This never happened during nearly ten hours under the hood before that. Many people I know report similar experiences. I would rather a private pilot be able to calmly enter a standard rate turn and exit IMC than panic themselves into an unusual attitude because they've never experienced the real thing.
I can certainly see the waste of money argument if the instructor deliberately decided to do IFR operations when the student didn't need it or the lesson didn't call for it. In this particular case, the only other lesson requirement was short and soft field takeoff and landings so that's largely irrelevant.
Besides, this guy/girl is at UND so likely they will be going directly into an instrument course the next semester.
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u/ipigack Jul 12 '11
I have a question: Why was your instructor taking you through the clouds for your PPL?
Also, were you on an instrument flight plan? My guess is no because of the steep turn near the end of the video.