Why is this flight so important?

Let’s start with the official reason: FAR §61.65(d)(ii)(C). Sounds thrilling already, right? Okay, maybe not at first glance—but it’s a big deal if you’re working toward your instrument rating. This regulation requires a 250+ NM cross-country flight under IFR, with three different instrument approaches, at three different airports, and using real or simulated instrument conditions. Basically, it’s the FAA’s way of saying, “You sure you’re ready for this?”

And I’ve been ready… except the weather hasn’t.

Grounded by Ice (and not the Cool Kind)

For the last two weeks, I’ve been waiting for a break in the weather. Not just any break—a warm one. See, in our neck of the woods (Seattle area), a lot of viable IFR cross-country routes go south or east, but the Minimum Enroute Altitudes (MEAs) are usually 6,000 feet or higher. And with icing levels lingering around 3,000-4,000 feet, flying above the freezing level just wasn’t safe or smart.

Finally, on Tuesday, March 25, a miracle: sunshine and 70°F temps. Translation: the freezing level rose high enough to give us the altitude we needed—even in IMC. We were a go.

The Mission: Three Airports, Three Approaches, One Glorious Flight

My CFII and I planned a route that ticked every FAA box and then some:

• Depart KPAE (Paine Field)
• To KHQM (Hoquiam) for an ILS approach
• To KAST (Astoria) for a VOR approach
• Back to KPAE for an RNAV at night approach

It was about 4 hours of actual flying, but the experience felt like a cross between a training marathon and an aviation dream tour of the Pacific Northwest.

You can check out the full route on FlySto, where it’s gloriously captured in all its GPS breadcrumb glory.

Meet the Star: N5512E — A 50-Year-Old Legend

Say hello to our aircraft for the day: a 50-year-old Cessna 172 (N5512E) that’s aged like a fine whiskey. Despite its years, it boasts upgraded Garmin avionics, including the G3X, G5, and GFC500 autopilot—almost exactly what I’m installing in my future Sling TSi. It’s like getting a sneak preview of the real show.

Weather: The Rare and Glorious Kind

When we arrived at Paine in the afternoon, the skies were behaving just as forecast—warm, a bit cloudy, and no ice in sight. Astoria was hanging on to some low IFR fog, but by the time we approached, it had burned off like morning mist in a fantasy novel.

We departed at 4:30 pm, and though I was under the hood (aka foggles) for most of the trip, my CFII gave me a couple of precious moments to peek out. Seeing the Pacific coast at sunset was… magic.

ATC: Busy, But Brilliant

Seattle Center was hopping—managing SEATAC flow, other IFR trainers, and us. But credit where it’s due: they were pro-level awesome.

• They gave us direct routing between waypoints
• Cleared all of our approach requests
• And helped us shave time off where it made sense

The Approaches

KHQM – ILS / LOC RWY 24

A smooth start. Coming in from the northeast, we used ULESS as our IAF, then glided into a straightforward ILS. Touch-and-go, followed by a missed approach to get us back in the air.

KAST – VOR RWY 26

This one was the wildcard. Astoria and ATC was busy, so instead of vectors, we flew the entire procedure, including a procedure turn out over the ocean. We even got to do a missed approach hold, climbing to 6,000 ft and holding before Seattle Center cut us loose back toward home.

KPAE – RNAV RWY 34L (Night Landing)

By the time we returned to Paine, it was full-on nighttime—a perfect ending. I flew the RNAV 34L approach from RARYO IAF and landed in a quite airport, although we had 2 planes landing with the same approach ahead of us.

Final Thoughts: This Is Why I’m Building a Sling

• Total flight time: 4.3 hours
• Autopilot time: Parts of cruise portion only (my CFII was generous)

This flight was exactly the kind of IFR adventure I crave—multi-leg, multi-approach, weather-aware, and filled with real-time problem solving (and scenery). With the Sling TSi, I’ll be filing IFR for most of my trips—not because I have to, but because it unlocks a whole new level of freedom and flexibility.