Photographic Logbook

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

From flight planning, I knew that we would experience rain, instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and darkness. Mitigating factors included no risk of convection (thunderstorms) or icing at our cruise altitude of 5,000 feet and VFR conditions expected to prevail at Saratoga Springs for our landing. Ground team!

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Approach Final Approach Airplanes 52

Photographic Logbook

JULY 11, 2024

We made an IFR departure that morning on runway 16 and climbed above the ceiling in short order. But I accepted the clearance knowing that I could change it with a local Approach control like Syracuse. We spent some time in instrument meteorological conditions over Vermont. This was even better than I requested.

Ceiling 52

Ceiling Approach Weather Runway 52

Photographic Logbook

JANUARY 25, 2025

When bay ice consistently thickens to over 12 inches, a team of dedicated volunteers collaborates with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to open the Alton Bay Ice Runway. Over the years, its coveted status as the only FAA-authorized ice runway in the continental United States has endeared it to aviators seeking novelty.

Runway 68

Runway Airplanes Threshold Approach 68

Professional Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

According to the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam), a stable approach is defined as one in which the pilot establishes and maintains a constant angle glidepath toward a predetermined point on the landing runway. This internal bargaining effect sets a potentially dangerous precedent because there’s no objective limit to defining an unstable approach.

Approach 105

Approach Descent Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) Runway 105

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 13, 2023

The ODP was a key element of my departure strategy, but I also filed to IPECA, the missed approach fix for the instrument approach to the runway we would use that morning. The direct route from our departure runway (34) to IPECA would also help manage terrain. Low clouds breaking up over Pickens County Airport.

Approach 52

Approach Ceiling Runway Clearance 52

Professional Pilot

MARCH 6, 2025

It had a short runway which was often contaminated with snow and ice. The pilots reduced power to bleed altitude, but, given the short distance to the runway, they knew they would land long. Some approaches even require specialized pilot training to receive clearance. N either pilot liked this mountain airport.

Crosswind 40

Crosswind Weather Instrument Meteorological Conditions Runway 40

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 28, 2023

Once the rain relented, we staggered our departures and called for our IFR clearances on the ground. Despite those ground clearances, we found that the ceiling above our home airport was high enough to accommodate VFR departures with airborne clearances. Final, runway 34, photographed from Two Six Romeo.

Clearance 52

Clearance Knot Instrument Meteorological Conditions Airplanes 52