Your first solo IMC flight after passing checkride

[Jamie696]

I’m in no rush to use my newly issued instrument rating. I have the utmost confidence in myself and my well equipped airplane to do this. The question is, the first time how did you guys take the plunge and say let’s do this or what was the situation that made you use it.

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

About a year after getting my IR, and having been unsuccessful with finding the right days to make the trip to LA and do approaches with an instructor through the marine layer, in February I saw there were low clouds ahead of a cold front with a high enough freezing level for a safe trip. Flew Falcon Field to Ryan near Tucson and back in IMC.

That first time single pilot IFR in IMC is a rush. No major issues and great training. Better to do it in an intentional planned way than having the first IMC in more unplanned but necessary circumstances.