Beating the weather (Part 3)

Okay, here is the final installment on dealing with the weather from a VFR pilot’s perspective. In the future, I’ll have some more posts about specific weather conditions around the country and how best to deal with them.

Now for the “executive summary” of ways to cope with (or beat) the weather when you’re flying on a VFR ticket for business (or pleasure) –

• Learn all you can about the weather in your geographic area – and do it by season
  
  • What’s safe in the winter in Texas is not necessarily safe in the summer and what’s safe in the summer in Michigan may not be so safe in the winter.
  
  
• Create some flexibility in your schedule
  
  
• Have an alternate plan
  
  • Book a refundable airline ticket just in case
    
  • Be ready to drive
  
  
• Always be ready to land if conditions deteriorate
  
  • In 2007 there were 51 crashes due to VFR pilots flying into bad weather, with 32 of them being fatal.
    
  • Put your pride away and land

Okay, with the weather discussion finished for now, stay tuned for happier topics!

Clear skies and tailwinds!
Mike