Racing a Storm Is Not the Best Choice

Ferrying an airplane for a friend takes a turn for the worse when a storm prompts a hasty reaction.

Andy Gelston

Friday, August 12, 2022 at 01:15 PM ET

Verified

[Illustration: Joel Kimmel]

Key Takeaways:

The author was ferrying a vintage Piper J3L-65 Cub from Virginia to Wisconsin when an approaching storm forced an emergency landing at an unverified, overgrown grass strip in Indiana.
Stranded overnight, the author endured challenging conditions, including severe weather, a leaking cockpit, cold temperatures, and relentless mosquito attacks inside the aircraft.
The next morning, the author executed a risky, hurried takeoff from the difficult strip, later reflecting on a series of poor judgments and impulsive decisions that created unnecessary hazards during the unplanned stop.

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“Would you go to Hanover County, Virginia, and fly the Cub I just bought to my grass strip in southeastern Wisconsin?” A friend in need asked me—and I was happy to make the trip.

“Sure.” So I flew commercial into Richmond where the seller picked me up, then introduced me to the prewar Piper J3L-65 Cub. She was original and in remarkably good shape, so I prepped her for the trip and slept on the FBO’s couch that night.