(May 2011) SEVERAL YEARS AGO I WAS flying with the family back to Westchester County Airport (KHPN) from Syracuse, New York, where we’d spent the Thanksgiving holiday with family. The forecast wasn’t great, but it was easy IFR, if indeed there is such a thing. White Plains was forecast to be 800 feet and 1½ miles, with VFR weather within easy reach.
Going Direct: Personal Minimums
Runway 24 at BDR in a Trinidad, ice on the
wings and a crosswind howling. None of it
was forecast.** Flying
Key Takeaways:
- The author emphasizes the importance of pilot proficiency for flying down to published IFR minimums, while also advocating for setting more conservative personal minimums for certain challenging scenarios.
- The iPad is hailed as a "disruptive technology" that transformed general aviation, offering pilots a superior tool due to its large display, long battery life, ease of use, and a robust, consistent app ecosystem compared to Android tablets.
- The EAA's Young Eagles program is highlighted as a huge success, having introduced over 1.5 million young people to aviation, significantly contributing to future pilot recruitment and fostering lifelong support for personal aviation.
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