Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

A pit stop at North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (KCRE) was planned, and after a weather briefing, I filed an IFR flight plan. The Mooney is well-equipped for weather avoidance as it is equipped with a sophisticated spheric lighting detector. I requested a descent from 6,000’ down to 4,000’ and was denied due to traffic.

Descent 98

Descent Approach Weather AGL 98

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

FAA weather charts can help for higher altitudes but when just a few thousand feet agl, they may be less useful. Great Falls weather is fair and warm. Flight idle and nose down, which normally produced a 2,000-3,000-feet descent rate, resulted in a 2,000-feet-per-minute climb. Lessons learned, some forgotten. What had I missed?

Turbulence 89

Turbulence Weather Knot Descent 89

AV Web

MAY 22, 2024

Also, other than mention in reports of “minor” convective activity in the area, not much information is available on weather, including bottoms of the clouds, which could be an important factor. Radar contact was lost some 3,500 feet lower, airspeed and rate of descent not known, but presumably at a significant increase.

Tail 105

Tail Instrument Meteorological Conditions Knot Groundspeed 105

AV Web

MAY 22, 2024

Also, other than mention in reports of “minor” convective activity in the area, not much information is available on weather, including bottoms of the clouds, which could be an important factor. Radar contact was lost some 3,500 feet lower; airspeed and rate of descent not known, but presumably at a significant increase.

Tail 98

Tail Instrument Meteorological Conditions Knot Groundspeed 98

Air Facts

MAY 10, 2024

ICAO minima for circling approaches is much higher than that stipulated in the FARs so consider higher weather minima. We also benefit from the latest weather updates. Perhaps just prior to the start of descent could be the optimum time–certainly completed no later than commencement of approach. What is the runway lighting?

Approach 97

Approach AGL Descent Runway 97

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

Weather wasn’t a factor either, the sun coming up on a glorious Nevada morning. The pilot flew into a gap between ridgelines and performed a series of rapid climbs, turns, and descents. Three reversals were recorded, with climb and descent rates of over 10,000 feet per minute. No clouds, no wind, visibility unlimited.

Descent 64

Descent Airplanes Knot Groundspeed 64

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

Weather wasn’t a factor either, the sun coming up on a glorious Nevada morning. The pilot flew into a gap between ridgelines and performed a series of rapid climbs, turns, and descents. Three reversals were recorded, with climb and descent rates of over 10,000 feet per minute. No clouds, no wind, visibility unlimited.

Descent 52

Descent Airplanes Knot Groundspeed 52