Jaybird180
Final Approach
During my breifing yesterday, the information included Airmet Sierra for icing at 4,000. If I am flying VFR (clear of clouds), why do I care about Airmet Sierra or icing levels?
FYI:
Airmet Sierra is IFR conditions and Mountain Obscurations
Airmet Zulu is Icing and Freezing Levels
(And Airmet Tango is Turbulence, LLWS, 30+ sustained winds)
I asked once before about airmet sierra. I still maintain that it is 100% useless for VFR pilots.
same with Zulu. stay out if moisture and it matters not.
Once, while flying VFR westward (toward lowering terrain) about 30 miles from Winslow, Arizona, I called in a PIREP to Flight Watch because the sky was clear and sunny and the predictions had been for low ceilings and mountain obscurations. I was a new (naive) pilot at the time and believed that informing the system would be beneficial. At the end of my report, the briefer warned of "mountain obscuration" and the advice that "VFR flight not recommended". I looked at the clearly visible nearest mountain top that I knew was the last to be rounded before the land descended toward the Pacific. Needless to say, I turned back and landed at Winslow to wait for the "mountain obscuration" to lift.
Briefers want to make sure you have all the information you need to keep your flight safe. It is up to you to decide what is relevant.
Got an Airmet Sierra just a few minutes ago that covers my departure airport. VFR not recommended SFC-1.000 agl. Looking out the window disagrees. What to do, what to do?
I've picked up ice VFR.... freezing rain
Which are you going to believe, an AIRMET that says it *might* be IFR, or your Mark I Eyeballs™ that say that is isn't?
Airmet Sierra is there to warn VFR pilots that they may encounter IFR conditions along their route of flight. Stay out of 'em with your Mark I Eyeballs™ and you're golden... But realize that you may need to execute plan B, C, D, etc.