INEXPERIENCED SMA PLT ENCOUNTERS IMC IN VFR FLT.

Narrative

VFR FROM 03Y TO BIS. APPROX 20 MI SE OF DVL PERFORMED A 180 DEG TURN TO ESCAPE IMC. INTERCEPTED A HIGHWAY TO FOLLOW TO DVL. VISIBILITY 1-2 MI. OVER DVL 3 MI VISIBILITY AND 1500 FT CIG. TURNED TOWARD BISMARCK ON V169. ENCOUNTERED SUDDEN IMC VISIBILITY APPROX 10 MI OUT. DID A 180 DEG TURN TOWARD DVL. MAINTAINED 1000 FT AGL; BUT STILL IN CLOUDS; SNOW; AND FOG. WENT 3 MINS W TO GET OFF V169. TURNED TOWARD BISMARCK. WAS IN IMC FOR APPROX 15 MINS. VISIBILITY BECAME 3-5 MI; AND CONTINUED TO IMPROVE ENROUTE BIS. FSS AT GFK WAS FORECASTING VFR FOR THE AREA. ADVISED FSS OF THE MVFR IN DVL AREA WHEN CLOSING FLT PLAN. PLT HAD 'GET-HOME-ITIS.' SHOULD HAVE LANDED AT LAKOTA OR AT DVL AND LET SNOW SQUALL CLR. CONDITIONS DETERIORATED 'IN AN INSTANT.' PLT MAINTAINED ATTITUDE AND DIRECTIONAL CTL OF ACFT AT ALL TIMES. TEMPERATURE WAS -10 DEG C; NO ICE PROBLEM. PLT EXPERIENCED LOCATION DISORIENTATION BUT BELIEVED THE INSTS AT ALL TIMES. PLT WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY DEFINE LOCATION UPON RETURN TO VMC. PLT IS NOT IFR RATED AND CRAFT IS NOT IFR EQUIPPED. PLT EXERCISED POOR JUDGEMENT IN CONTINUING FLT; BUT MAINTAINED COMPOSURE WHEN UNABLE TO RELOCATE DVL ARPT. PLT DID NOT ADVISE FSS OF THE PREDICAMENT FOR FEAR OF LOSING LICENSE - ANOTHER POOR DECISION. PLT EXITED CTLED AIRSPACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHEN HE RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM.