Home / Photos / Airwork—There Would Be No Butterflies Photos Airwork—There Would Be No Butterflies By November 26, 2008 Having decided I couldn't go direct (along the airway) I opted to skirt the storm to the north by going to RKA VOR and then direct. Photos By Tom Benenson As I headed for RKA it became obvious that the storm would beat me to the VOR. From the XM Weather Nexrad and the animation on the Garmin 496, it appeared a turn to the southeast would let the storm move northeast and give me a clear path. **The controller suggested I fly direct to DNY (Delancy) VOR and then amended the clearance to Direct HNK (Hancock) direct DNY, which really didn’t mean a change in heading. For the moment, according to the 496, the course looked reasonable? **While heading toward DNY, the XM display on the GMX 200 showed lightning strikes at the VOR. A course of about 095 looked better since the storm was moving to the northeast. The controller told me to turn to the northeast. I looked at the? The controller said, “Let’s do it this way. You’re cleared direct Columbia County. Deviate as necessary. Have a safe flight!” As I penetrated the narrow storm line there was heavy rain and moderate turbulence. **The map of my flight on Flightaware.com showed the changes I made as the flight progressed in response to the changing situation. Flight planning — and risk assessment — doesn’t end at takeoff, but continues throughout a flight. More From Photos A Fond Memory: Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo 2023 Gallery: The Evolution of Van's Aircraft Gallery: Tails on Display at Oshkosh Gallery: Wednesday at Oshkosh Photos: <i>FLYING</i> Honors Award Winners at Adventure Party First Look: Supernal's Air Taxi Passenger Cabin