It was a stormy day over South Florida, and just as I was near my destination, a late afternoon thundershower decided to camp out over it. The storm wasnt moving, so I diverted to a nearby non-towered airport. Id never visited it before, so I rationalized it: I was multi-tasking.My divert field was VFR, so I cancelled IFR and tuned the CTAF. I was number two for the airport until a bizjet called in on an umpteen-mile final and the guy in front decided to let him go first. Once I finally landed, I discovered a pleasant, well-equipped FBO and settled in to wait for the destinations weather to improve.
The pilot diverted to an unfamiliar, non-towered airport due to a stationary thunderstorm blocking their original destination.
While waiting, the weather situation shifted, with the original storm dissipating but moving towards the divert field, necessitating a night IFR departure from the unfamiliar airport.
The experience highlighted the importance of trusting the initial correct decision to divert, even when subsequent complications arise, leading to a safe journey home.
It was a stormy day over South Florida, and just as I was near my destination, a late afternoon thundershower decided to camp out over it. The storm wasn’t moving, so I diverted to a nearby non-towered airport. I’d never visited it before, so I rationalized it: I was multi-tasking.
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