Flying is the only magazine I subscribe to. I always make a point of reading each issue front to back, although sometimes out of order, and I’m always eager to read the stories in the I Learned about Flying from That column. Now I have my own story to tell of a recent adventure — or rather, misadventure — that involved flying a Piper Cherokee 140 to Brunswick, Maine, on business from my home airport in Groton, Connecticut. I learned many lessons on this flight.
I Learned about Flying from That: A Solid Plan Gone Awry
Key Takeaways:
- A VFR pilot's business trip was complicated by a fluctuating forecast and "get-there-itis," leading to an evening departure and an initial diversion due to IFR conditions at his destination.
- Despite earlier caution, pressure to reach his destination and diminishing ground transport options led him to attempt a risky VFR flight into known IFR areas, hoping to fly above the weather.
- Upon encountering extensive high cloud cover and receiving a discouraging pirep, the pilot wisely abandoned his attempt, diverted to a distant airport, and learned critical lessons about respecting weather limits and avoiding self-imposed pressure.
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