AGL Ceiling Turbulence 
Pilot Institute
JANUARY 1, 2025
m/s) Visibility: 9999 6 or more sm (10+ km) Weather: VCSH VCSH (showers in the vicinity) Clouds: SCT010 BKN030 OVC060 Scattered clouds at 1000 feet AGL, broken clouds at 3000 feet AGL, overcast cloud deck at 6000 feet AGL Ceiling: BKN030 3000 feet AGL Icing: 620509 Light rime in clouds from 5000 to 14000 feet AGL 1.
Plane and Pilot
AUGUST 6, 2024
The route is simple, GPS direct, but…there’s my personal 1,000-foot en route ceiling requirement, and those silly Smoky Mountains. But if I was going VFR over strange territory, I would want lots more than 1,000 feet agl. The 1,000-foot en route ceiling means that approach minimums never come into question.
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Plane and Pilot
NOVEMBER 27, 2024
Often, turbulence is the harbinger of mountain waves, not the ideal ceiling—and visibility unlimited—day. FAA weather charts can help for higher altitudes but when just a few thousand feet agl, they may be less useful. We experienced moderate turbulence even at our gate. I flew into that and the venturi effect that day.
Air Facts
APRIL 29, 2024
KCPC was reporting IFR conditions with a 700’ ceiling and one mile visibility. Unicom also confirmed the weather was still showing a 700’ ceiling with one mile of visibility. I immediately leveled off at around 650’ AGL, and began slowing down. Tuning in the AWOS, I heard an unpleasant surprise. My voice had also returned.
Plane and Pilot
SEPTEMBER 1, 2024
The conditions were a mile of visibility and about 500 feet of ragged ceiling, barely enough to maintain orientation by landmarks passing below. A low ceiling absolutely ends a planned flight, though visibility may be the legal determining factor in some situations.
Air Facts
APRIL 24, 2024
We had light winds, good visibility, full cloud cover, and ample ceiling heights. But, with a frontal system approaching, the conditions were expected to worsen over the hours subsequent to our passing through, including the chance for moderate to severe turbulence. But the turbulence would continue to worsen.
Plane and Pilot
SEPTEMBER 1, 2024
The conditions were a mile of visibility and about 500 feet of ragged ceiling, barely enough to maintain orientation by landmarks passing below. A low ceiling absolutely ends a planned flight, though visibility may be the legal determining factor in some situations.
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