How Can I Fly Vfr in Rain?

“Can I fly VFR in rain?” that’s a question many new pilots ask. The answer is… yes! Learning how to make adjustments to your aircraft in adverse weather can be very useful when flying in real conditions.

Airplanes are designed for one thing and that is to fly. We have trained our brains to think and work at the speed of the aircraft. We cannot slow down in order to hover over an area. VFR (Virtually Flight Simulator) allows us to do this, albeit in a virtual world.

A lot of the time during VFR operations in severe weather you may need to stop flying altogether. Stopping the engine can be done with aileron/normal flaps. The landing gear can also be used with aileron/normal flaps if needed to reduce the risk of spin. The canopy can also be deployed to protect you from torn or shredded flying materials like skin, foam or paint.

During VFR operations in bad weather the pilot can still control the altitude, speed and direction of the aircraft using the R Throttle. The pilot can still use the directional controls to move the airplane along but he/she will not be able to make landings. Their envelope can be extended by forward airspeed or rudder. This action pushes the canopy back, which protects the pilot and aircraft from elements like rain, sleet, snow, fog and sunburns. It can also be turned off just before landing to conserve fuel.

When you’re getting ready to taxi into a landing area in bad weather always look out for other aircraft. If there are any on your right side looking in your direction, it’s likely they are going to see you. It can be quite nerve wracking to suddenly realize another aircraft is tailing you! In the same manner look out for on your left side looking in your direction. If there is a potential problem this will cause your airplane to slow down when you need to taxi in bad weather and possibly even reverse.

While in VFR conditions, you should keep both eyes on the horizon (winds and precipitation) and your head pointed ahead. Your goal is to keep your eyes on the ground, canopy, and all other objects in the area such as hills, power lines, etc. When you get within visual range of an object you should move your head about 45 degrees to the left or right. This is especially important if you encounter clouds.

During VFR conditions it’s not advisable to descend, especially if you encounter cloud formations. The reason is if you do descend too soon you may stall the aircraft. You don’t want to have the aircraft touching the clouds because this can lead to icing. Icing can lead to engine failure, so the best thing to do is avoid it. Once you come to a safe altitude the only thing you can do is to right-size the canopy so the nose is pointed up.

It’s very easy for people who do VFR in rain to get their minds off the road by looking at the ground. Concentrating on the canopy is very important. You don’t want to be looking through the windshield and into the wind. Your vision might be blurred but focus on the canopy instead. Also try not to drive with your eyes closed as you’re more likely to forget to fasten your seatbelt.

Another reason VFR in rain is dangerous is the wind. A strong wind can pick up your speed which will increase the deceleration of the airplane. This is why it’s important to keep your eyes on the sky. Try to keep a clear area between you and the nearest obstacle. When you’re flying at higher altitudes, the wind will tend to pick up your speed because of its position. So keep a safe distance and always look up.

It’s very easy to get side tracked while VFR in rain. You spend most of the time looking out the window so you don’t even notice you’re moving. But when you need to change direction quickly you have to make sure you’re following your route.

Flying in VFR in rain is difficult. There are a few ways you can reduce the risk of getting wet. You can invest in a good pair of goggles or go for glasses, but they don’t really solve the problem. If you really want to enjoy flying the only solution is to avoid it.