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IFR Flying in Different Platforms

jointhelocalizer

Well-Known Member
pilot
I was recently conversing with a USMC C-130 driver and he brought up that they do a lot of IFR flying around the US as well as OCONUS. Just curious to see what the frequency of IFR straight and level flying is in different communities.

Don't take this as me trying to see which platform will make into a wannabe airline pilot though ;)

Thanks in advance!
 

Brett327

Well-Known Member
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
In fixed wing, you'll do the majority of your flying under IFR. There are exceptions, of course, but the general guidance from OPNAV 3710, which is one of our overarching instructions governing Naval Aviation, is to fly IFR to the max extent possible. That said, the RW guys fly a lot more VFR, but that won't concern you as an "NFO Hopeful."
 

BACONATOR

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
In fixed wing, you'll do the majority of your flying under IFR. There are exceptions, of course, but the general guidance from OPNAV 3710, which is one of our overarching instructions governing Naval Aviation, is to fly IFR to the max extent possible. That said, the RW guys fly a lot more VFR, but that won't concern you as an "NFO Hopeful."

This, and also the type of IFR flying you will do can vary a lot. I may not know from experience, but purely based on equipment and friends' perspectives, TACAIR tends to fly very little away from homeguard, besides fallon/key west dets, FIT, etc, as they are limited by TACAN/PAR/gas, whereas the Herc/E-6/C-40 crowd will do world-wide airline-style IFR flying as their bread and butter and get a lot more in the weeds in the day to day flying.
 

joe dirt

Well-Known Member
pilot
Really the only IFR flying we do on a regular basis (West Coast Skids) is a PAR coming back from the El Centro ranges when the marine layer rolls in. Aside from that it’s well over 90% VFR.
 

Ken_gone_flying

"I live vicariously through myself."
pilot
Contributor
This, and also the type of IFR flying you will do can vary a lot. I may not know from experience, but purely based on equipment and friends' perspectives, TACAIR tends to fly very little away from homeguard, besides fallon/key west dets, FIT, etc, as they are limited by TACAN/PAR/gas, whereas the Herc/E-6/C-40 crowd will do world-wide airline-style IFR flying as their bread and butter and get a lot more in the weeds in the day to day flying.

C-130 IFR these days...I FLY RARELY.
 
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