As a relative newbie to flying in “weather,” I am impressed when I fly along VFR with more seasoned pilots in haze that would scare me if I were alone. “It’s just haze, with a good 5 miles of visibility,” I am often told. But looking straight ahead through 10 miles of mild haze is indistinguishable to me from a thick, impenetrable wall of haze with less than VFR minimums. Sometimes it’s very, very hard to tell the difference. Sometimes, the difference can be fatal.
I Learned About Flying From That: Asking For Help
Key Takeaways:
- A VFR pilot unexpectedly flew into Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) and O'Hare's Class B airspace due to deceptive haze conditions.
- The pilot promptly declared an emergency, and Air Traffic Control (ATC) calmly and effectively guided him to a safe landing at an alternate airport.
- The experience underscores that pilots should not hesitate to declare emergencies, as ATC prioritizes safety, and punitive actions for such incidents are rare, especially when a NASA ASRS report is filed.
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