But it has to be done, and as painlessly and inexpensively as possible. After all, the goal is to have a flying budget left over for the personal flights, while still maintaining a safe level of skill. Unfortunately, instrument flying is a mental skill, and mental skills atrophy quickly. O ne of the advantages of becoming a proficient instrument pilot is the satisfaction of performing a smooth, error-free flight in conditions that are anything but perfect. I nstrument approaches are begun with the intent of following the needles down toward the runway and, sometime before decision height, discovering the shimmering lights of the airport environment beckoning.
PARs involve controllers essentially talking pilots down to minimums.
Alton K. Marsh N onprecision approaches can result in an accumulation of errors if not flown precisely. Descent planning alone can double a pilot's work load. Here are some ways to reduce distractions. As instrument pilots we're taught to fly by the books and stick to the plan. But, as we all know, even the best-laid plans get changed by unforeseen circumstances.