Northstar VFR

JANUARY 4, 2023

by Gustin Robinson, FAA CFI-I ASEL Flying under instrument meteorological conditions keeps even a good pilot on their toes. But now, while flying in low visibility and overcast cloud layers, you have to rely on your instrumentation more than ever before and keep your eyes inside the airplane.

Ceiling 52

Ceiling Instrument Meteorological Conditions Approach Weather 52

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 13, 2023

A Dunkin' in Jasper, GA made for makeshift flight planning space as we waited on fog to lift at Pickens County Airport. While I anticipated an IFR departure that morning, I wanted to see ceiling and visibility of at least 300 feet and a mile to avoid smacking into mountainous terrain around Pickens County Airport during take-off.

Approach 52

Approach Ceiling Runway Clearance 52

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 28, 2023

Despite those ground clearances, we found that the ceiling above our home airport was high enough to accommodate VFR departures with airborne clearances. Putting the front to our tails, we flew in IMC (instrument meteorological conditions) for 30 minutes before emerging under a clear blue sky. Better safe than sorry.

Clearance 52

Clearance Knot Instrument Meteorological Conditions Airplanes 52