Aerochitra.blog

I remember the first time my instructor said, “Let’s file an IFR Flight Plan.” It sounds so simple on the ground, but as you go up in the air, that’ll be the most adventurous thing in your life! Honestly, it’s not what you expect – thunderstorms, panic situations, and total chaos. But in reality, it’s the opposite; it’s strange – everything goes quiet. One moment you’ll have everything – blue skies and horizons. The next second, it’s all grey clouds and nothing.

The trickiest part? Your body starts lying to you! This is where it gets interesting. Your inner ear is doing its job, and that’s lying and exaggerating things. Normal straight and level flight feels off. Small turbulence will feel like your world is collapsing. I remember my first flight – my instructor was constantly telling me to “trust the instruments and not your instincts.”

Once you enter the clouds, your whole world shrinks to only your six-pack! In my opinion, people have portrayed it a little dramatically. Nothing is dramatic; it’s just your brain working overtime. At one point, you are completely exhausted, and at that exact moment, my instructor said a statement that is printed in my brain in bold letters – “Your senses are not your authority, your training is!”

And that statement, at that point, was my saviour; it changed something in me. After that, it became more manageable – not because of the environment, but because my brain learned the whole situation. Scan replaced emotions, and instruments replaced instinct. After experiencing exactly 102 minutes of actual IMC, discipline replaced perception!

Flying in IMC is a journey of trust and discipline. It’s about overcoming the chaos within yourself and relying on the training that has been instilled in you. While the thought of entering the clouds may seem daunting, it’s essential to remember that your senses can deceive you, but your training will guide you through. So the next time you find yourself in IMC, remember to trust your instruments, rely on your training, and embrace the discipline needed to navigate through the clouds. It’s not just a flight; it’s a lesson in resilience, control, and ultimately, in mastering the skies. 🌟