Bonanza 35
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 663; Flight Crew Type 390
Training / Qualification; Workload
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Weather
I fly about 130 hours per year; and have had 4.7 hours of IFR year-to-date. However; being single pilot; I use the autopilot in those situations. We don't have much IMC in this part of Texas (Abilene). I hired a CFII to accompany me for some practice hand flying in 900 overcast IMC. I've never been out of currency; but take an occasional IPC [Instrument Proficiency Check]. Three months prior [to this event]; I passed an IPC with NO problem using foggles.I would not have passed an IPC in actual IMC. Not this time; at any rate. I am filing this because [allowable] IFR deviations were broken while I was hand flying. I asked my CFII if I needed to file one; and he said I did not because we were being vectored and on radar the entire time. Nevertheless; I'm filing one.We did have 60 KT plus crosswinds at the VOR while flying the first approach; the VOR-A; so I'm sure they chalked some of the erratic flying up to that. However; I flew that portion pretty well. It was the initial turning climb that was so poorly executed. I then flew the RNAV-17L LPV approach and did that pretty well - the LPV guidance made a big difference. Maybe I was settling down by then.I am amazed at the difference between actual IMC versus foggles. There really is no comparison. I received my Instrument Rating with next to no actual IMC. While it would make completing the requirements for an Instrument Rating difficult in some areas; I really don't think you should be able to qualify for one without a bit of IMC. There is no substitute.
A BE35 pilot with minimal actual IFR experience was surprised when a refresher flight with a CFII in actual conditions proved more demanding than his previous Instrument Proficiency Checks utilizing 'foggles' to merely simulate IMC.