Register

Who Do You Trust?

It was a dark and stormy day...seriously. Family issues required me to get to Clark Regional Airport (KJVY) in Jeffersonville, Ind. But the prognoses for the route from Augusta Municipal Airport (3AU) outside of Wichita, Kan., predicted lines of storms scattered across the 600-odd miles.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A pilot encountered severe Level 3 and 4 weather after following an Air Traffic Control (ATC) controller's advice to deviate through a "soft spot" in a large storm.
  • The controller's advice was based on surveillance radar that couldn't detect the storm's intensity or lightning, leading the pilot into extreme turbulence.
  • The pilot eventually escaped the severe weather with help from another aircraft equipped with weather radar.
  • The key takeaway is to prioritize one's own visual observations and judgment, even when it contradicts a controller's advice.
See a mistake? Contact us.

It was a dark and stormy day…seriously. Family issues required me to get to Clark Regional Airport (KJVY) in Jeffersonville, Ind. But the prognoses for the route from Augusta Municipal Airport (3AU) outside of Wichita, Kan., predicted lines of storms scattered across the 600-odd miles.

The storms were also forecast to be widely scattered with no overcast. Instrument current and confident in my ability to see and avoid the boomers, my Comanche and I launched for the four-hour flight at about 10 a.m. Central time.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE