When Planning an Airplane Trip, Make Sure the Car Is Ready

You might not mind the windy weather, but think about how your passengers will feel.

Jonathan Welsh

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 12:36 PM ET

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Seasoned general aviation travelers know that often they will end up driving instead. [Credit: Jonathan Welsh]

Key Takeaways:

The author decided to drive his son to school instead of flying due to unfavorable weather forecasts, despite being eager to use his new aircraft and having met passenger carriage requirements.
He prioritizes passenger comfort and safety, especially with family, adhering to a rule of flying them only in optimal weather conditions to ensure positive experiences.
During the drive, observing another aircraft disappear into low clouds affirmed the prudence of his conservative decision regarding the weather.
The experience served as a reminder of safety considerations and prompted his interest in pursuing an instrument rating.

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We often hear that preparation is the key to traveling successfully in a GA aircraft. This is true, as long as your preparation includes making sure there is gas in the car.

I returned home Monday night after dropping our son off at school in New Hampshire following a long weekend at home. I had hoped to fly him back, saving time and boosting the trip’s fun factor, but alas, the weather forecast was just sketchy enough to convince me that driving was the better option.