skidoo
Line Up and Wait
So, last weekend I made a no-go decision and drove to a meeting. 3+ hour drive, or 50 minute flight. The forecast was CAVU for the entire state for the whole weekend except for home base in my valley. For here, there was an overcast forecast for when I desired to return home and the day before and after.. Sometimes, there could be a hole or opening somewhere at one end of the valley where one could get under and make it home. But, I could not count on it.
I am wondering if this would be a prime case for having the IR or if it would not have made difference because of the following. Here were the actual conditions on the day of return:
CAVU everywhere except for the home valley. In the valley, ceiling was 1300 to 1500 ft with in excess of 10 mile visibility below. Clouds were probably 1500 to 2000 ft thick and extended to mountain surface throughout the valley. Mountain peaks were CAVU. Temp on the ground was 32F (0C). No precipitation, just a high fog like layer, stable air. Aircraft is non FIKI, but has prop heat, and pitot heat.
What are your thoughts? If I had the IR, would it have been simple to quickly drop through the layer and get home, or would the temp had prevented that?
I am wondering if this would be a prime case for having the IR or if it would not have made difference because of the following. Here were the actual conditions on the day of return:
CAVU everywhere except for the home valley. In the valley, ceiling was 1300 to 1500 ft with in excess of 10 mile visibility below. Clouds were probably 1500 to 2000 ft thick and extended to mountain surface throughout the valley. Mountain peaks were CAVU. Temp on the ground was 32F (0C). No precipitation, just a high fog like layer, stable air. Aircraft is non FIKI, but has prop heat, and pitot heat.
What are your thoughts? If I had the IR, would it have been simple to quickly drop through the layer and get home, or would the temp had prevented that?