Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Day 24, Worst Flying Conditions

I went up with Bill yesterday and let me tell you it was by far the worst turbulance I've ever been in. I had called the Lockheed Martin Weather Briefer to get the weather for the area I was going to flying in and to file my IFR flight plan. He had told me there was an AIRMET TANGO out for moderate turbulance from the surface to 12,000ft. This normally isn't something that you may consider cancelling a flight over but after having flown 2.3 hours in it from takeoff to landing, it definitely was not fun and we were the only ones to fly yesterday ue to the winds. By the time we landed the winds were gusting to 30kts. As for the weather and the flight, everything went well... It was pretty cool because we got o fly right through Atlanta Hartsfield International Class B airspace and flew right over downtown Atlanta. Visibility was unlimited. We flew into Fulton Co. airport for an ILS approach, went missed in the interest of time, flew direct to West Georgia Airport for a second ILS approach, went missed again, and flew direct back home to Gwinnett Co. LZU and shot a 3rd and final ILS. By the tail end of the flight we were being tossed +/- 150 feet with every wave of turbulence we flew through. I'm just glad I didn't end up getting sick. After I landed I had my lunch and simmed on the FRASCA for 2 hours. But because I'm partnered with Jerry I didn't end up leaving to go to the apartment for dinner until 8:30pm because I needed to watch him sim for 3 hours starting at 5:30pm...But today's a new day.
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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2009 at 9:24 AM

    Mark,

    Well, there's no question you're getting great experience up there! As long as it's safe, a little turbulence is a good thing to learn how to deal with. And the more you deal with it, the less likely you are to get airsick. It certainly puts a new perspective on shooting an ILS! It sounds like you're really absorbing the material well - from your last post, I agree (from your last post), that staying calm and not rushing is your most important asset when flying on instruments and dealing with emergencies.

    Keep your nose to the grindstone. I'm amazed that you're already 3 1/2 weeks into the program!

    - Ken

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2009 at 12:52 PM

    Mark,
    Sounds like you're having a good time man. Strangely enough I was doing the same stuff yesterday that you were, shooting ILS (and some VOR) approaches. It was aweful over here too. That turbulence was crazy. Get this, the winds at 12,000' were 300 at 90 knots!!! Ridiculuous. Hopefully today will be a little better. Keep up the good work man. And hey, in a few days you'll be a third of the way done!

    Rod

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2009 at 6:52 PM

    Talk abount flying bu the seat of your pants. WOW seams like a fantastic roller-coster ride.

    Rule 3 - Don't fly with turbulance

    Tio

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  4. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2009 at 6:55 PM

    Mark, this is some serious experience you got today! The weather should be getting better after tomorrow, so get ready to fly in some clearer and warmer days ahead. You are amazing! Keep up the great work! M & D

    ReplyDelete
  5. ClassactFebruary 5, 2009 at 2:33 PM

    It seems as though the weather threw everything it could at you and you still were victorious. To me, this just shows the power of prayer and the power of the preparation you have under your belt.
    I am impressed and delighted with all of your progress.
    In Him;
    Carol Wright

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