Coping with weather is a vital skill for any pilot, and VFR2IMC is one of the most challenging situations they will face.
VFR2IMC is when a pilot operating under visual flight rules (VFR) flies into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). When this happens, all visual references are lost, which makes it very difficult to fly safely. The workload and sensations will make aviating especially hard and navigating or communicating nearly impossible.
Both VFR- and instrument flight rules (IFR)-rated pilots can fall victim to the VFR into IMC trap — 75% of all weather-related accidents in Europe have a fatal outcome. VFR into IMC sadly remains the leading cause of fatal weather-related accidents in General Aviation (GA) too.
The goal for every pilot and passenger is to land safety after every flight to #flyanotherday. Whenever a pilot takes to the sky, it is important to "make the right call" by gathering all the necessary information to decide whether to fly or not, where to fly, and what to do in the air.
VFR2IMC risk awareness
Every pilot should keep in mind all of the following:
- not to underestimate VFR2IMC, as it can be deadly.
- that their best line of defence is to avoid VFR2IMC in the first place.
- to act bravely, as it takes a lot of courage to rethink the plan instead of continuing into worsening conditions.
Planning to avoid VFR2IMC (H2)
Sooner or later a pilot faces the challenge of dealing with marginal weather conditions. Their decision-making skills will then be put to the ultimate test. It is important to first collect all the necessary information and then make an informed and mindful decision:
- staying flexible is important as well as being ready to change the plan based on the weather.
- planning a way out in any situation is a habit of a good aviator.
- recognising the signs of overenthusiasm to get to the destination are the first steps to resisting their own temptation or peer pressure to take off or to continue the flight.
Conditions below personal minima (H3)
Choosing to fly or not should be a well-considered decision. A pilot should never fly if the conditions are below their minima and should act as follows:
- establish and follow personal weather minima that should be more conservative than the legal requirements to ensure a safe margin;
- ensure minimum visibility and consider cloud clearance levels;
- if the conditions do not match the pilot’s level of proficiency, stay on the ground or replan to be able to fly another day;
- ask a safety pilot or an instructor to join them on the flight if:
- they have not flown for some time;
- are not certain enough of their own proficiency; or
- have any doubts on the flight.
Recognising and returning safely to VMC (H2)
If weather conditions begin to deteriorate abruptly or a pilot enters inadvertently IMC, they should take a deep breath and remain calm. It is a totally natural and human reaction for a pilot to be startled when they suddenly and accidentally lose all outside references. Under such circumstances, the pilot should:
- stay alert to changing conditions along the route;
- keep their wings level and try to make a 180-degree turn to return to visual meteorological conditions (VMC); and
- declare an emergency and ask for help from Air Traffic Control (ATC) or Flight Information Service (FIS).
Remaining calm and slowing down (H2)
When everything starts getting complicated, the golden rule for any pilot is AVIATE, NAVIGATE, COMMUNICATE — in that order.
- A pilot should first and foremost focus on flying the aircraft, above anything else: keep their eyes on the attitude indicator and retain the wings level.
- Only then, they can decide where to go and what to do, i.e. navigate to safety.
- Finally, once they have the capacity, they should contact ATC to declare an emergency to receive all the necessary help.
A pilot should never forget that VFR2IMC can be a life-threatening event.
You can visit the EASA General Aviation Community Site to watch the Aviator’s Club video series on VFR2IMC and download the GA Safety Cards.