A Perfect Day for Flying

Ideal conditions don’t happen often for aircraft owners, so celebrate them when they do.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 07:57 PM ET

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A long-awaited clear day provides a perfect opportunity to brush the rust off after a solid month of fog and low ceilings. [Credit: Jason McDowell]

Key Takeaways:

The author, a Cessna 170 owner, frequently encounters bad luck and challenges with aircraft ownership, including maintenance issues, unflyable weather, and poor runway conditions.
The article recounts a rare "profoundly good luck" day for flying, featuring ideal weather, a squawk-free airplane, and successful flights to multiple favorite grass strips in the Wisconsin countryside.
Despite minor obstacles like patchy snow removal and shifting winds challenging landings, the author deeply appreciated and savored the exceptionally positive and enjoyable flying experience.

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Since purchasing my Cessna 170 two summers ago, the specter of bad luck and I have become very well acquainted. From an idiotic oversight that ruined cylinders (and was entirely my fault) to weeks upon weeks of unflyable weather to winter runway maintenance that commonly appears to have been handled by an insolent helper monkey, it’s fair to say we’ve spent a lot of time together. At times, I suspect this specter maintains a small staff of assistants to ensure the joys of aircraft ownership remain fleeting and special.

But from time to time, I’m welcomed by profoundly good luck. On rare occasions, days off align with fantastic weather, a usable runway, and a properly functioning, squawk-free airplane. On these occasions, I approach my flying with a healthy dose of suspicion and brace myself for the worst, but I make sure to appreciate the good fortune.