Flying IFR in a LIGHT SPORT Airplane - How it’s done

In this video, I explain the recent upgrade I made to the Vans RV-12 Light Sport airplane to make it IFR capable and IFR legal. This includes flying into IMC (instrument meteorological conditions).
I’ll explain what I had to do to install a new Garmin GPS175 IFR navigator, then we’ll go for a flight to practice some RNAV GPS approaches and follow the glide slope down to LPV minimums. LPV minimums on an approach are as good or better than an ILS approach in most cases.

The only way to legally fly Instrument Flight Rules in a Light Sport Aircraft is to take a close look at the regulations for experimental aircraft.

Link to the Varla Eagle One V2 Scooter for $100 off! Use the code “Florida” at checkout.

00:00 Intro
01:24 Update
02:22 IFR Legal in LightSport?
04:00 GPS Install Process
07:08 Test Flight
11:04 Varla Scooter
13:08 1st Approach
14:08 2nd Approach
16:18 Windy Landing

[FloridaFlying]

Link to the Varla Eagle One V2 Scooter for $100 off! Use the code “Florida” at checkout.

[doubledeeeeeeez]

Nice. Just a lil advice from an Avionics tech here since 1993. Please Please Please do something with the wires you have begging to chafe back there behind the instrument panel. Didn't see the end finish but if it's still like time stamp 5:15 you are gonna have issues real soon. Tye wrap and adel everything you see floppin. What you can't secure with an adel to the frame with hardware at least every 6 inches you need to wrap with spiral wrap or some sort of kevlar curly wrap. You will have issues if you leave it like that I promise. Also, I would not fly with the scooter. Not before completely tearing into it to inspect the battery and make sure it's properly cushioned with foam and securely installed. IF that lipo bomb decides to go off while you are in flight you will be a goner. Just pull up some videos of Lipo explosions. Other than that, good job on the IFR approaches. I would love to own a plane like that.

[rv-ation]

Great video. I "met" your airplane when the previous owner had flown it to Apopka where we were all attending the 2 day light sport inspection course. It's a nice ride!

I own a -12 (Washington State). All things aside, I'd never fly it IMC or even at night for that matter without a backup display and backup AHRS. 4K+ hours flying cargo in all weather, single pilot day/night all over the US taught me a few things about how much of a fan boy I am for backup instruments!! One of the downsides of glass is you can't just go partial panel. It's all or none. Seems like a link in the chain to not have them! Have fun, be safe, I enjoyed the video.

[wds]

Thanks for documenting the installation. The upgrade looks like a blast!

[mhilderbrand]

I bought a scooter with the intentions of taking it with me to flyins. Feature creep set in, and I ended up with one that has similar specs as yours. I can still take it with me, but it wouldn’t be easy 😀. Really really fun to ride on!

[SoaringMidlo]

Awesome upgrade. That will make the RV so capable and keep you from scud temptations. Nice scooter too.

[Headboardmoto]

I'm like 1 min in on the first video of your channel and let me tell you I am stoked! Your editing style is what I love a bit of Casey neistat and Peter McKinnon mixture with your own flair. I been searching for weeks to find a aircraft vlog style and I think I have found it here with you!

Keep up the great work man I look forward to binge watching your channel!

[speedomars]

When in Class E, D or C, you must remain 500 feet below, 2, 000 feet laterally or 1, 000 feet above any clouds. This is to allow an IFR aircraft popping out of the clouds sufficient time to see and avoid a VFR aircraft. In Class B airspace, we merely have to remain clear of clouds.

[nickm]

Good Job Pedro! Good to see our little airport getting some screen time :)

[Mlgraham]

Just came across your channel and was shocked to see you flying out of Arthur Dunn! I grew up in Titusville and learned to fly there way back in the 70’s. That little airport hasn’t changed much over the years except for the skydiving school. That wasn’t a thing in the 70’s.

It’s great to see the old hometown and surroundings from your plane. I miss all those water and space center views!

I’ll definitely subscribe and binge-watch to catch up.

If you’re ever in the ATL area let me know and I’ll treat you to lunch at PDK.

[FlyMeAirplane]

You may know this but you can dial the minimum alt into the dynon and it will say "approaching minimums" and then "minimum". 80 lbs for a scooter is way too much! Fun video, excellent editing.

[shARyn]

That hunting is common on the Dynon Autopilot servos ---- it's minor --- you get used to it fairly quickly

[imbtmn]

Fantastic, it just goes to show what a good light sport can do with the right gear and pilot. You need to spend a hell of a lot more money now to only get incremental improvements over what you have here.

[EricHaskins]

Passed my light sport check ride out here in Oregon. Hope to ferry my Remos SLSA back to Zephyrhills FL (or where ever I can find a hanger lol) in the spring. Going nuts with weather out here need to get another plane in FL so I can keep flying till then. Want my Sport CFI and need 100 more hours lol

[NLC]

I’m getting ready to do this in my Bristell. I have twin G3X but adding the G5 for redundancy because my G3X shares the same ADHRS. I do have battery backup on the G3X but feel safer with the redundancy.

[KevinDennis-qe]

This topic has been hashed out so many times regarding the legality of an ELSA into IMC conditions. Ignoring the question of whether an RV12 should ever be flown into actual IMC conditions, especially without a back up like a G5. It would be nice to have a DAR or FSDO actually chime in on the issue. I would think the OL and appropriate minimum equipments would be enough, but then there is the ASTM which supposedly prohibits it. But, really nice set up for training and staying current. And I would think would be fine for those pesky marine layers. This is exactly what I have thought about doing if I buy a 12. Again, I would want a backup G5 in that panel. Gonna be a really bad day if that PFD screen goes out in IMC. We get that stupid low layer occasionally that is just at 1000 ft agl with no icing and it sits there taunting us VFR pilots waiting for it to burn off. Also nice to have in case that layer slides on in while out flying and trying to get back. Nice install.

[jleiben]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I though experimental and light sport were two different categories. How are you both? Light sport are certified aircraft which is why you can receive instruction in them but have weight and power restrictions, compared to experimental.

[mitchbronson]

Very nice panel. I previously owned an RV6A at Dunn. Really miss it. Lost my medical so I’ve gone back to flying an ultralight trike. It’s the blue and white one. Hope to meet you sometime. Maybe at a breakfast. 👍

[damonevans]

It's not all where you'd like it to be for IFR flying. At least get a backup dynon EFIS. I've seen HDX fail multiple times after being a few years old just completely turned off. Otherwise, copy all, I like it.

[dangreen]

Thanks for this. Hoping to do something similar in my FlightDek D180 equipped RV12.