Thanks, Brook. Today was better (and last week wasn't *really* terrible!).
On the way back from Austin we had a cell topping out at 40,000 feet right in our path, 60miles wide and our destination was on the back side of it - this was the only weather for hundreds of miles; my great luck. I decided to go around it to the north as the wind was from the N and it seemed to be discharging something on the overhang of the S side. Couldn't be sure what was happening on the other side because of radar shadow but the asos was encouraging although it did report "ts in the vicinity". Anyway I stayed very high (32,000') in order to stay out of the goo and keep an eye on the cell (I didn't want to be beating the radome to crap like, ahem, my pal did last summer). Once turning the corner on the backside of the cell, when I could be sure of a direct line per the moving map which was clear of the largest vertical mass, I pulled the throttles, popped the speed brakes and at 200kts the first notch of flaps to get 3000fpm. Passing through several layers to 15K looked like we might need the approach so we requested and received the GPS30 and a few jabs at the FMS later it was set up to let the autopilot do it. It felt like a close battle of staying clear of the bad stuff, but on track to the IAF - and then if wanting to cancel, to find vmc. Thankfully by 10K (5K ago), we saw a large hole with the destination visible so we cancelled and went for it. Weather below was pleasant... cool, fairly high ceiling, gentle winds - with that monster of a cell pounding the hills to the east with heavy rain and lightning. Dodged a few birds and greased it on at 105kts, taxied back and refuelled while everyone unloaded. Chatted with one of the family about how much fun it is to fly it and how the responsibilities involved can feel overwhelming. Overall, a satisfying day having 'defied' the weather, getting everyone and their airplane home safe and sound!
