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:
- The pilot's initial reliance on a two-day forecast led to a late evening departure, pushing him into deteriorating weather and an early diversion due to IFR conditions at his destination.
- Despite warnings and shrinking options, the pilot succumbed to "get-there-itis," making a risky decision as a VFR pilot to "have a look" at conditions ahead, only to encounter impassable weather.
- After confronting a wall of clouds and receiving an unfavorable pilot report, the pilot wisely aborted the attempt and safely diverted to an unexpected airport, learning crucial lessons about forecasts, "get-there-itis," and conservative decision-making.
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