Conclusions

Validity

There is a currency requirement to remain able to fly IFR. Below are three questions from the written exam and the correct answer is (A) in all three cases.


	To meet the minimum instrument experience requirements, within the last 6 calendar months you need A) six instrument approaches, holding procedures, and intercepting and tracking courses in the appropriate category of aircraft. B) six hours in the same category aircraft. C) six hours in the same category aircraft, and at least 3 of the 6 hours in actual IFR conditions.


	What minimum conditions are necessary for the instrument approaches required for IFR currency? A) The approaches may be made in an aircraft, approved instrument ground trainer, or any combination of these. B) At least three approaches must be made in the same category of aircraft to be flown. C) At least three approaches must be made in the same category and class of aircraft to be flown.


	To meet instrument experience requirements of 14 CFR part 61, section 61.57(c), a pilot enters the condition of flight in the pilot logbook as simulated instrument conditions. What other qualifying information must be entered? A) Location and type of each instrument approach completed and name of safety pilot. B) Number and type of instrument approaches completed and route of flight. C) Name and pilot certificate number of safety pilot and type of approaches completed.

FAA Instrument Test question bank

		In conclusion

A question I have been asked a lot since I came back is - “was it worth it?”

The answer depends on what you were aiming for. For me I wanted more than an instrument rating, I wanted to know what real instrument conditions are like and learn how to deal with them with confidence and explore my limits. The thing I learnt most about doing the IMC rating was to avoid IMC like the plague. I am now beyond that.

If you want to collect a rating as cheaply as possible in a 152 with a minimum of fuss then the WCA is not for you. When you do the sums including accommodation, aircraft type, the WCA costs no more than the IRs from the pilot factories.

I think my experience was pretty typical and a number of previous participants have done the trip a second and third time.

I would go again tomorrow if I could. The main reason is because of the Moreys themselves. As aviation businesses go theirs must be amongst the oldest there is anywhere. It has stayed a family business with the third generation (Rich) now in charge. So it is no fly by night operation nor is it a pilot factory. I like to think that the pilots going through the WCA are a bit more finished than those from elsewhere, hand crafted as opposed to mass produced perhaps their motivations are different too.

For me personally it was worth it. The cost was nothing compared to the pleasure I got from being with such fine people, the sights I saw and the experiences I had as well as the sheer pleasure of achievement at an age when most people think you are about to be past it.

On its own, flying nearly 5,000 miles in 7 days in a light aircraft is an awesome thought.; 5,000 miles over prairie, mountains, deserts, canyons, ocean.

Hard to beat. Really hard to beat.


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