Does anyone know where I can find the full length video of this?

8:23 ATC: "...do you need assistance?" Great controller!!!

I admire the fact that the pilot shared this experience with us, it's a great eye opener. And for all those "experts" including actual pilots and arm chair pilots, I wonder whether if they had been through all of this, they would be ready to post their video online. So give the guy some slack, he admitted in making a mistake to the point that he posted it here for everyone to watch and learn. That takes guts. Thanks again for posting

A former student of mine, who became a college instructor, recently crashed and died. It was weather related. We have all been there but as much as possible I just remember there is always tomorrow. The best way to avoid a bad situation is to not get into it. Call me a coward, I don't care. Safety first. I admire this pilot for sharing his experience so others can learn. Glad he made it home safely.

1. I appreciate the opportunity to watch this video ! 2. I refuse to bash the pilot who was brave enough to make his errors and his solutions public. It doesn't take a high performance airplane to get into this situation. All it really takes is a little change in the temperature dew point spread, or reliance on a bad forcasts. A slavish reliance on a plan would have made this even worse.. Two days ago I set out on a 325 mile trip from N to S Cal. 48 hours of weather watching, briefings, and planning all said everything was a GO.12 minutes in I did a 180 and went back where I came from... Faced with an unforcast but not too surprising 100 plus miles of VFR on top, with a basic panel and no IFR rating.. there was no other option for ME and my aircraft. For others a let down through a 500 foot cloud deck would barely matter.Add ICE and it's a whole new ball game.

This video kind of floored me. And it shows that anyone can fall prey to get there itis or whatever this was. I have seen the videos from this pilot many times in his Real World IFR, Real World VFR and Coast to Coast, etc.... and there must have been something very pressing waiting at home for him to push the limits like this. Great video to show that any of us can succumb to hazardous thoughts as talked about with ADM.

You aren't an airman, until you've screwed up a dozen times, a dozen different ways. You must take every lesson learned to heart, and forge your processes, until you find the standards from which you'll never bend. Almost everybody who has flown VFR on top has had a brush like this. It's a fantastic teachable moment!

Wow, this is a great video. I'm so glad the pilot was willing to share this experience. This gives those who have not yet experienced a similar event a benchmark to say, hey I've seen this before. I need to fix this right now before I get too deep. Thanks again for sharing!

Thanks for sharing this informative video for newer, less experienced pilots like myself.

Thanks for this interesting report on ADM. I had goosebumps throughout this video.

Thats some fantastic professionalism from ATC... The controller very quickly realized the potential for that situation to get worse.

Knowing where you are and knowing what you want to do before you get in a situation especially Flying IFR in a Single - pilot aircraft prepares you for planning your flight to your destination and I love the Helpful words of Communication from ATC when called upon at anytime you feel that your flight could not be completed because they are here to help and guide you to a safe place. This is a learning experience for me to stay calm and fly the aircraft to a safe landing . Thank you for sharing this amazing adventure

As a pilot I'm planning on getting and finishing my IFR rating and watching this is what I'm not going to depart from when weather conditions like ice at and above or below the altitude that I filled with ATC . This is a great learning experience for me to always check out my weather conditions to my destination location and my alternate airport weather. Thanks for sharing

Very nice video, I liked the narrative and the way it was presented.

I'm just a controller, but I think another option he had was to get an IFR block altitude, say 11-13. That way he could get closer to the layers and punch through thin layers if needed as he rides along the tops. I'd mention though you need it to avoid icing, so they know it's for safety reasons and not because you want to play around IFR when they may be busy.

Really cool video! Very informative. Many lessons to be learned for everyone.

Well for the hundredth time “ get home itis” Killed lots

Good learning video! Classic case of “Get there-it’s”! Just goes to show you how easily pilots and even very experienced can get caught up in this kind of a jam! He lucked out! This could have easily had a different outcome. Learn from your mistakes, more important, learn from other peoples mistakes!

Pilot: Well this day can't get any worse.... Plane: gives 2 green....

This pilot seems plenty competent to me, and it shows how easy it can be to end up in a bad place, even with the best of intentions and _trying_ to be careful. Goes to show that there is no such thing as too careful. I would never criticize this airman for the mistakes he made. Instead, I'm so grateful that he has the courage and humility to share his experience for the benefit of others. Thank you, and may this save you and many others (maybe even me) from ever ending up in a similar scenario.

Much like stop signs in CA, that "1000ft above clouds" must be aspirational and not required

Respect for the pilot. He had the sack to admit his mistakes and share his experience.

I notice that my driving and trip planning on the ground have also improved, since I started watching these pilot's videos. So, I'm getting a double benefit and thank you so much for uploading your videos.

Especially with today's modern tools for monitoring weather near real time while airborne, there's nothing wrong with keeping a flexible flight plan and modifying fuel stops as you go. In fact, it can make it potentially much more efficient. And I was impressed with the pilot's comfort with using ATC as an effective tool for helping manage his route. Having IFR cability is a very useful "out" for a planned VFR flight. At one point he mentions being at 13,500 ft for "an hour and fifteen". Definitely not a good idea without supplement oxygen. About 15 minutes at that altitude without a lower top in sight may have been a good hint to turn around or get clearance for lower. And being that it's now on a published video, hopefully he's already filed an ASRS. PilotWorkships seems to have over-dramatized the descent at the end a bit. Why should he have declared an emergency? It would certainly be appropriate for a VFR only pilot to declare an emergency to get ATC assistance for the descent, but he's obviously IFR capable, and he quickly got an IFR clearance, as he should have. He did seem a bit confused about Special VFR clearances, which only apply below 10,000 ft and within airport-designated Class E airspace - didn't appear to apply in this case, but ATC graciously ignored the request and gave him an appropriate IFR clearance instead. I would have considered circling back to the hole in the clouds and picking up the IFR descent clearance there, where the layer was thinnest. The biggest issue I'd see with the fast descent, (assuming all other airplane limitations were respected) would be shock cooling the engine. In the end, he walked away from the airplane, and the airplane is still flyable. I still haven't had my perfect flight yet, either.

The scariest flight I ever had was years ago on one of my first "real" cross country flights. Midway through the 500 mile trip I became the typical VFR pilot inadvertently flying into IMC. To add to my stress level, the plane was collecting ice too. Fortunately, my primary instructor included enough instrument training that I didn't lose it due to spacial disorientation. I did a 180 degree turn back to VFR and landed at the very first airport. Even then I realized that this is the stuff accident reports are full of. Weather is the biggest threat to general aviation.

I’ve followed this guys channel for a long time. He’s a squared away, very instrument proficient, safe pilot. Goes to prove, can happen to anyone. Only reason I think he wanted IFR to VFR on top, was for more direct routing. Hypoxia affecting decision making easily could’ve been in play. Definitely a scary prospect. Should’ve kept the IFR

And, the pilot shows clear signs being infected with getthereitias at 0:55.

Amazing video. Manny lessons learned. Also I'd like to point out the situational awareness from atc is impressive. Here at brazil CHG at the clearances are not welcome. So if I had to go IFR and back, that would prpbably be a problem here.

Really Like How this video was integrated with so much realtime data going on from mapping to tower control. Very Impressed. Amazing how weather can look just fine one minute and turn ugly as the sun is setting, which added to the drama - but why is the sun setting, if heading East? I may have missed a detail. Glad this worked out, but the stress had to be near max level, and it wears one out to possibly making more mistakes. As one mentioned already, being in a rush to begin with, was setting up a crisis, limiting margins of error. . Cheers

The best thing about this video is that the guy kept his cool. He flew the aircraft, worked over his options, made it all happen. He knew the potential of what he was getting into, had plenty of fuel of board, and knew how to communicate and work with his avionics, radios and ATC. Stuff happens when you fly and what separates pilots (the good from the bad) is how well they handle each situation.

one of his first comments "I have to get there....." is like spinning that cylinder

9:21 That's awesome, an "enroute" special VFR clearance, but just a quick one. I'll have to remember that for future use.

Great job mr pilot.

Educational! He did plan for the limitations of his aircraft by going way south. I think when you have to divert this much, this vid shows we should take some serious time to understand the weather picture. Don't plan for the worst, but plan for the absolute worst. Thanks for the vid.

Icing is very very frightening. I was over DC at 17,000 feet and rapidly started picking up ice. Prop and pitot heat on and told atc that we needed immediate descent to which they said no. I said yes and as I descended into warmer air chunks of ice started shedding and I was hoping the tail wouldn't get damaged. If I had listened to atc I wouldn't be here now. Very frightening and pic flies the plane not atc. There were no repercussions from atc and you do what you need to do. This pilot did well too.

WOW! That was one shitty situation, can happen to anyone. I'M glad it all worked out and that you were able to defeat the ice and clouds.

Great video, will help save people if they get this advice

This is great insight. Charlottesville is in my area. This is very familiar airspace. Freezing clouds near and above the mountains is all to common.

Great video, and great comments.

Excellent video, thanks for uploading. An awesome video for instructional purposes, I'll share it with my instrument students the next time someone groans about the importance of weather products or ADM.

WOW, WHAT A PRESENTATION! Excellent work. Sub'd

Thank you for sharing, we all make mistakes and learned from them. In a industry we’re does mistakes end up being FAA and NTSB investigations with casualty reports I rather learn this way.

I'm only a pilot in training, but even I know that ATC will be on your side if you are having trouble. They are wonderful people with families that want to see you get home to YOUR family. No harm in calling an emergency, getting below the icing layer, and re-accessing the situation. A false alarm is better than a real emergency when you're shit out of options.

The second he said "I NEED to get home" was one nail in the coffin...

Boy, I was anxious for them and I'm watching this in the comfort of my living room. Glad this was posted. Good to learn from others' experience without having to experience it myself.

Thank you for posting. I flew cost to cost and know the feeling on getting home. Remember pilots, listen in your mind on what you've learned. I have seen images of looking better up ahead. Once boxed in, now only one choice to make. Not good when flying VFR or IFR. Agree do not rely on luck. It is not a big deal landing and re-grouping. What do you loose? Time? Perhaps hotel charge?..... Better than losing your life and causing your family grieve!

I am a professional helicopter pilot of 42 years with 11500 hours experience,I have flown all over the world in many different aircraft and conditions.I got a good piece of advice from an ex Vietnam pilot which stayed with me through my career. He stated that we are all born with a bag of luck.We don't know how much luck is in that bag,but the more you use it the less luck you have and one day you reach into your bag of luck and there ain't no more luck.Fly safe don't rely on luck.

He sure puts a lot more faith in one piston engine than I ever would.

Dive down as fast as possible!🤘 -from a professional pilot to another

this is a great lesson for all pilots out there and specialy for private pilots.As a private pilot, i decided to persue my instrumental lesson to be more professional and educated Pilot to be safe.

I love N07, great little airport.

I have watch the Real World Coast to Coast and I do not remember seeing this flight (like you say in the video). It shows his flight from the East coast to the West coast but not back again.

The only ice I like is in my cocktail not on my wings..glad you made it.

Things are not looking good. So I go anyway

That was scary watching his potential ‘hole’ closing down fast as he headed into the sunset! Shutting down the remaining VFR with the possibility of looking outside and seeing wing icing. I admire that he remained calm, assessed his options and worked the problem.....but if that had been me, when the controller asked.... “Do you need assistance?” I would have politely said er HECK YES PLEASE, before my options book slammed shut! Thank you for sharing.

Did the right landing gear not extend properly on short final...?

great pilot looks very competent , for me with the icing reports i wouldve strayed below cloud cover , im not that confident yet hehe

OMG only 2 green at night over the inner marker after that! Yikes!!

I hope to see this in MS FS 2020 so I can try the same thing.

Super interesting. Glad he made it. The ATC could maybe have picked up on his stressed requests.

Nice video thank you for share it.. How much cost a plane like this one ? Thanks im advance

Thank you for sharing. I live 10 minutes from n07. We should meet up

Does anyone have a link please to the pilots video channel? What was the outcome of the approach to land?

Been there done that. This is the weakness of small airplane IFR in the winter. No de-ice, not great climb power, and you're on top at 8000, it's 32F on the ground. ATC wants to give you a prolonged descent through the ICE, so you'll be coated when you slow for landing. Time for the slam-dunk!

He landed. How he may have gotten to land (the good, the great, the lack thereof), are extra cherries on top of the cake. In my experience, I encountered IMC (though METAR/TAF reported something vastly different in the area) and icing and I immediately opted to do a 180 and land. It was refreshing to see how he handled this situation.

I must say despite his predicament, that view at 9:00 was beautiful.

Seems like he's a pretty good pilot. Knew his systems, communicated well with the ground...maybe that's what happens when we get too confident? Anyway, I'm the last person to criticize or judge.

I can't see the full video by using the link in the description

Hopefully this is a wake-up call. He wasn’t being grossly negligent, but things like clear get-there-itis and cutting the fuel reserve to the bare minimum 30 minutes add up to a situation ripe for an accident. Huge respect to this guy for making the video public, it could educate others and possibly save lives.

This is a clear example of a moment when you have to TELL ATC what you need to do, be clear, be assertive and the commit. I would like to know how long was he exposed to the icing conditions. The speed and the maneuver themselves were not dangerous.

I like that he didn't panic though & get flustered at losing his opportunity to drop through that small hole in the clouds....

Crazy how claustrophobic clouds can make me feel

I go a bit over the top but being quite low houred right now I think it is the right way to go forward. I don't fly even if the flight looks marginal but possible and I always get a second opinion from someone much more experienced. I would never be able to do this kind of flying, especially in a plane with no icing capability!

What were those two highlighted lights in his cockpit at the end?

Since when do you put the gear down at a 1/4 mile?

What is the name of the KZfaq channel where this pilot uploads his videos?

Damned the regs. He flew past several holes in a thin overcast while still VFR from watching the video. How much ice would you think you’d accumulate in 500ft thin broken/overcast? He gained experience which is a good thing.

Flying is like Trading Stocks, risk management really does save lives but for aviation this is even more crucial.

What if the overcast layer was much thicker? Also, what if it was known icing conditions?

What was the meaning of the green lights at the end?

Nice video

whats that app that keeps showing up on screen with the different colored numbers

Cool video. What were the green lights circled on the instrument panel at the end? Should put a graphic up for those of us who are not pilots. Thanks.

Special VFR is not available over 10,000MSL. (@9:10)

What type of aircraft was this?

9:15 terrifying visual

At first I wasnt sure about declaring an emergency, but as I watch him continue and ATC not understanding the urgency I think it would have helped.

I’ve flown my piper comanche 260 to 15,000 only once without oxygen because i had to fly over a 100 mile TFR to get to my destination... not sure what it was about but I didn’t have enough fuel to detour so i had to climb above the TFR of 13,500 ft.. luckily there wasn’t much cloud cover and i was fine. That was about 7 years ago. Still not sure what that TFR was about.. never found out

so did he get 3 greens or not at the end?

What is this aircraft? Like the type?

“I’ve really gotta get going…” I lost a friend in an aviation accident that said something very similar.

What aircraft was he flying?

Must have been Thanksgiving morning and well.. that dressing

Not going to down talk the pilot here, not an easy situation. He should have done multiple things differently, but all that matters is that he is okay, learned from the experience, and had the guts too post it online for everyone too hopefully learn from themselves. Fly safe everyone.

Never take off without a back pack parachute. If/When things get testy. Pick up everything in the cockpit that can be traced to you. Climb out on the wing. Spray paint over the Plane ID #. best you can.........Then jump!

What plane is he flying?

I was an airline pilot before I retired and it always amazes me why private pilots bother with this type of potentially dangerous and stressful trip when it would be much easier, quicker and safer to fly with an airline. Apart from anything else, the cost of such a flight in a private aircraft must be astronomical.

Lots of lessons here. Oh my. Homie don't dat game!

What maps do you use ?

It was at that moment he realized ...