When Planning an Airplane Trip, Make Sure the Car Is Ready

You might not mind the windy weather, but think about how your passengers will feel.

Jonathan Welsh

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 12:36 PM ET

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Seasoned general aviation travelers know that often they will end up driving instead. [Credit: Jonathan Welsh]

Key Takeaways:

The author chose to drive his son to school instead of flying in his new GA aircraft due to an unfavorable weather forecast, prioritizing safety and passenger comfort over personal desire to fly.
Despite initial regret during the drive as weather seemed clear, the decision to drive was confirmed when the author observed a training aircraft disappear into low clouds en route.
This experience reinforced the author's cautious approach to flying family members in optimal weather and prompted consideration for obtaining an instrument rating.

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We often hear that preparation is the key to traveling successfully in a GA aircraft. This is true, as long as your preparation includes making sure there is gas in the car.

I returned home Monday night after dropping our son off at school in New Hampshire following a long weekend at home. I had hoped to fly him back, saving time and boosting the trip’s fun factor, but alas, the weather forecast was just sketchy enough to convince me that driving was the better option.