10 October 2014
Weather is Dynamic
“Whether you are a novice or seasoned pilot, no doubt you have seen weather conditions turn on a dime. The weather that exists at your departure city may not be the weather that exists upon your arrival in the next town—or even back at the airport from which you departed. Still, it’s frightening how many pilots either assume the weather at point A will be similar to the weather at point B, or believe (often mistakenly) they can handle the possibility of deteriorating weather.
FAA documentation indicates a non-instrumented pilot can fly for only a few minutes in IMC before losing control of the airplane. Tragically, about one-third of instrument-rated pilots who are not current as per federal aviation regulations (FAR 61.57) can also lose control of their airplanes and crash. Even well-trained and current pilots might find themselves scrambling when they encounter abrupt, unexpected weather changes, and are likely to face the inevitable question from air traffic control, “What are your intentions?” That’s why planning ahead, envisioning possible weather changes, and trusting your instruments are vital when Mother Nature throws you a curve ball during flight” (p. 84).
Source: Instrument Flying: 10 Indispensable Principles to Know and Remember. see www.doubleillc.com
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