Unleashing the Capabilities of Light Sport - RNAV Approach to Minimums

The Vans RV-12 is perhaps the greatest all-around light airplane. While Sport Pilots can fly it under light sport rules, it can legally be flown IFR, including IMC, if properly equipped as an Experimental Light Sport Aircraft. The pilot must also have an IFR rating and must be current.

In this video, I file an Instrument flight plan and fly a real world IFR flight with an RNAV approach into KOCF down to minimums. The initial clearance was picked up using a cellphone and calling Orlando Approach control directly.

BRAVO GOLF Timepieces - Discount code FLORIDAFLYING

00:00 Intro
01:39 IFR Clearance to KOCF
03:02 Bravo Golf Watches
05:02 Takeoff
06:02 Clear Direct
07:50 Class C Airspace
09:10 Approach Brief
10:25 RNAV 36 KOCF
11:55 Landing KOCF
12:47 IFR Clearance to X21
15:26 Re-Route
16:40 Landing X21

[FloridaFlying]

This RV-12 is an Experimental LSA, so if you are a sport pilot you can fly it under sport pilot regulations. However if you are an Instrument rated private pilot, you can fly it like any other experimental.

My operating limitations include IFR flight if the airplane is equipped per 91.205. Follow along as I improve my IFR skills, especially my radio calls! I’ve learned a lot by making and publishing this video and now I have better information for identifying myself to ATC.

BRAVO GOLF Timepieces - Discount code FLORIDAFLYING

[bucketopopcorn]

thats so cool i just finished my instrument rating and the checkride scenario was KOCF to X21

[KLee-suot]

Great job! Great video. I wish people would just enjoy the content and restrain themselves from criticizing. We are all learning even if we have been flying for a while.

[SouthernLatitudesAviation]

Pedro,
Good job on the graphics and narration. A well put together video! I really enjoyed it.
Jack

[brandonl]

Great video, thank you for sharing the video it is very helpful for me

[jetproduction]

Pedro your radio calls were perfect. Good to see you still flying and having fun! Come see us at FL58 one day your up near Ocala

[dullgeek]

Fumbling words with ATC? I haven't done that in 2 whole days! (I also haven't flown in those days.) :)

Something I noticed on both of your takeoffs. Your rudder was almost fully deflected to the right. I assume that's because you have a castering nosewheel and even before liftoff you are able to put in right rudder. But I was surprised at how much right rudder you use.

I fly a Cherokee 235 and my rudder pedals are directly connected to my nose wheel. So before that nosewheel lifts off, I have to apply pressure on the right rudder but anything more than that and I'll steer to the right. And there's this little dance that I have to do as the nosewheel lifts off where I can and have to put in right rudder pretty suddenly.

I wonder if I'd need a lot more right rudder if my nosewheel was also free castoring. I'm just surprised at how much left turning tendancy you have to correct for while on the roll with a small engine, while I have a 235 hp engine and don't have to correct nearly as much. Maybe I get some advantage from friction that you don't.

[pachabeche]

Love you man! Keep doing what you're doing!

[Anonymous]

Looks like fun. Can’t wait to get my Cert.

[mhilderbrand]

Nice video! Well done on the flying! In the very near future, I plan to take my maiden voyage (in my Zenith) from KOCF across the the Bravo to one of your airstrips along the coast. Maybe Space Coast Rgnl for the breakfast/museum fly-in? Have you been to that fly-in?

[Tharkunify]

Great video and I love the RV! I'm just too lazy to build one and don't trust buying a used one.

[ronniethepilot]

Great job. Always nice watching your videos. By the way I work out your way and I’m usually hanging around at the airport on my breaks. I’m also a private pilot. Is it possible to meet up sometime just to say hi

[kevindavis]

I didn’t know you can fly IFR in an LSA.

[GAFlyer]

How is the Pitot Static Testing under FAR 91.411 “IFR Certification” done on an E LSA?

[mediocreman]

Just curious, why do you say we and us when you're talking on the radio? I don't see anyone else besides you.

[f.n.schlub]

@FloridaFlying "leaving" is improper nomenclature. "climbing/descending" incorporates the verb. You wouldn't say "staying and climbing", would you? Conflicting verbs. If you are climbing or descending it's obvious that you are leaving. Proper nomenclature is, simply, "N2222V 1850 climbing 4000". That's all. No "leaving". No numerical-sounding prepositions "to" or "for".
Also, "Good Morning Orlando Approach. This is RV2222V on the ground here at X21 looking to ..."
a) Until ATC truncates your tail numbers, you may not.
b) Because ATC is filling out the traffic strip that will accompany your flight from start to finish, first call is the ENTIRE aircraft make and type, and the ENTIRE tail number. ergo,
"EXPERIMENTAL Vans RV-12 N2222V WITH AWOS at X21 ground ready to copy IFR KOCF estimated departure 05 minutes Runway 33. Please confirm altimeter."
Everything else was very nice, indeed.
A last note: When ATC routing can be strange or fuel expensive, depart and climb to cruise VFR, then once you've set your course along your preferred track call for IFR. Florida ATC doesn't have much compassion for fuel costs, so most of my hungry twin and turbine pilots use this trick to save what otherwise can cost them an extra $100 over the usual cost of the hamburger.

[MuzixMaker]

Didn't know there are IFR certified LSA.

[DanFrederiksen]

Terrible that flights are scheduled over phone by humans. Dreadfully archaic. Imagine if the default was that you just took off and flew direct and occasionally the computer would point out collision risk and tell you to go higher or lower or to switch to autopilot for a little while so the ATC computer can steer you. and for those that don't want to hand fly they just go to autopilot and ATC takes you all the way, including landing and not a radio call in sight.

[christophergagliano]

Nice video but I think you're supposed to identify yourself as an "experimental" and not as RV