IFR Flying in Different Platforms

[jointhelocalizer]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[MIDNJAC]

TACAIR tends to fly very little away from homeguard, besides fallon/key west dets, FIT, etc

Aside from, you know, deployments.

 

[DanMa1156]

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

Is it still really that bad? Any word on when these guys will be full up again?

 

[heynowlookout]

Is it still really that bad? Any word on when these guys will be full up again?

Yes, it is that bad and no, no real answer on when we get healthy.