When I’ve planned for VFR flights, quite often I’ve used IFR charts. Keep in mind, I hold an Australian Multi-Engine Instrument rating. As far as planning is concerned, it is mostly for simplicity. When it comes to IFR charts, a lot of the planning has already been done for you as a pilot. Why not apply IFR charts to VFR flight planning? This video is a VFR Flight using VFR and IFR Charts from Indianapolis to Grissom in a Cessna 152.
The purpose of this video was to look at using both VFR and IFR charts for a VFR flight. I have not heard anyone discuss this idea before, but I’m sure some people likely use both charts?
IFR charts make flight planning a lot quicker and easier. The routes are pre-determined magnetic routes with various types of minimum safe altitudes. I don’t see any harm in VFR pilots using IFR charts for flight planning. That is, if they know how interpret the IFR charts correctly. Keep in mind, you must always keep your VFR charts current with you for all VFR flights.
Referencing IFR charts might be a good way to introduce the idea of an instrument rating to a new pilot. IFR charts are very different from VFR charts and might even look a bit intimidating. What is the harm in taking a look?
There are a few things about the IFR charts you need to be aware of. The difference between Minimum Obstacle Clearance Altitude (MOCA) and the Minimum Enroute Altitude (MEA) is very important to understand. There is obviously more you need to know, but it is a start.
The Briefing
The video starts off with a briefing for the upcoming flight. The reason the briefing is included is to let you know what the flight is about. It’s a good habit for pilots of all skill levels to go through a minor briefing before flying. The weather and NOTAMs were of no issue for this flight.
I don’t see any harm in VFR pilots using IFR charts to flight plan if they know how interpret the IFR charts correctly.
Video Chapters
This video has been broken down into various key chapters. Each chapter is listed in the description below the video when played directly on Youtube. If you play the embedded video above, click on the Youtube logo to see the video description.
The Startup and other Procedure checks
Throughout this video and all the flight videos, I try to make use of real life checklists. Throughout the video I try to keep the procedures as realistic as possible. I have a real life Cessna 150L checklist which is referenced for flying this Cessna 152. This is to try and keep the realism throughout the video.
Sometimes I have more difficulty starting this flight sim version of the Cessna 152 compared to the real life C150L. If you see any jump cuts, that is me cutting out my own errors or long boring drawn out stuff.
There are a lot of things you’ll see repeated in each video and there is a reason for that. I’m mostly referring to the startup, taxi and runup procedures. This is what you do as a pilot in real life. You’ll find a lot of flying is repeating a lot of the same stuff over and over again.
Another reason I wanted to bring this topic to your attention, IFR charts are now easier to access for VFR pilots. Easier because of the common use of Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs). Back in the pre-EFB days, IFR charts were purchased separately. Back then, most VFR pilots would not purchase IFR charts if they were not IFR certified.
Differences between the Cessna 150L and the Cessna 152
There are some differences between the C150L and the C152, but the differences are minor. It is not worth worrying about in the flight sim. This is why I feel it is safe to use the Cessna 150L checklist in the Cessna 152.
The biggest difference that comes to mind is the C150L has a 100 Brake Horsepower engine. The Cessna 152 has a 110 Brake Horsepower engine. 10 Brake Horsepower may not sound like much difference, but when your dealing with such underpowered aircraft, every Horsepower counts. As much as I love flying the Cessna 150L and 152, they are so underpowered and very limited with payload. This forces you as a pilot to understand and appreciate weight and balance limitations.
Hopefully you’ve gotten something out of this video; VFR Flight using VFR and IFR Charts from Indianapolis to Grissom in a Cessna 152. If you enjoyed the video, please consider liking, commenting and subscribing to the Ground Speed Gaming channel. The learning never ends; Thank-you.
