I Learned About Flying From That: What Now, Richard?

David G. Waller

Friday, June 24, 2011 at 05:56 PM ET

Verified

** To see more of Barry Ross' aviation art, go
to barryrossart.com.** Barry Ross

Key Takeaways:

An 80-hour pilot unexpectedly encountered severe smoke on a return flight despite a clear forecast, highlighting the importance of constant vigilance and adaptability to rapidly changing conditions.
He made the crucial decision to turn back towards a known airport rather than push into deteriorating visibility towards his destination, demonstrating good airmanship and prioritizing safety.
After locating a small, unfamiliar private field for diversion, the pilot initially struggled with the landing due to its short length but successfully adapted his technique to the challenging conditions on the third attempt.
The experience reinforced the critical lesson of choosing to land safely at the first available opportunity when conditions deteriorate, rather than gambling on potential improvement down the road.

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(June 2011) For an 80-something-hour pilot, the Sacramento Valley was like a giant flying playpen for me. The foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains border the eastern side while the Coastal Range separates the valley from the Pacific Ocean on the west. The Cascades, including 14,000-foot Mount Shasta, form the northern boundary of the valley.

One weekend in October 1978 a friend and I decided to take a Cessna 150 from the local flying club at the Yuba County Airport (MYV), not far from Marysville, California, for a flight to Redding, California. It’s at the northwest end of the valley and is the last stop before heading into the Cascades. We heard there was a decent restaurant on the field. For two young airmen looking for something to do, we needed no other excuse.