TheGolfPilot
Line Up and Wait
Yesterday morning I made a 7am trip out of Modesto to concord. Weather was reporting 900 overcast and local TAFS were suggesting improvements as the day continued. As began to descend after the FAF the clouds were 600 tops, not 900 overcast, I descended into them and at minimums there wasn't any sign of ground let alone runway. I went missed. On the way up I noticed that the fog was dissipating less than 1/4 mile from the airport. I opted to fly the approach one more time instead of proceed to my alternate. The reason: Vacaville was severe VFR and I could see it. That was also closer to kccr than my filed alternate and better yet, closer to the IAF after I get some gas and come back.
Flew to approach and went missed, as I pushed the power in the airport broke out below me, the decision had already been made and a landing attempt at that point would have been pretty violent.
I stuck with the plan, flew to Vacaville, put some gas in the tank and unloaded my bladder. Flew back to concord in mvfr conditions.
It was the first time I have flown a missed approach with the intention of landing. In practice( which I do a lot!) it's routine but in a real situation it's frustrating and oh how tempting it is to want to go the extra 50 feet... I gave myself a pat on the back for studying the missed approach before the approach as I am supposed to.
It wasn't a bad experience but it was a friendly reminder for me on why I practice what I do. Winter is coming up, and weather can deteriorate quickly. Thought I would share this experience as a friendly reminder to y'all to be prepared!
Flew to approach and went missed, as I pushed the power in the airport broke out below me, the decision had already been made and a landing attempt at that point would have been pretty violent.
I stuck with the plan, flew to Vacaville, put some gas in the tank and unloaded my bladder. Flew back to concord in mvfr conditions.
It was the first time I have flown a missed approach with the intention of landing. In practice( which I do a lot!) it's routine but in a real situation it's frustrating and oh how tempting it is to want to go the extra 50 feet... I gave myself a pat on the back for studying the missed approach before the approach as I am supposed to.
It wasn't a bad experience but it was a friendly reminder for me on why I practice what I do. Winter is coming up, and weather can deteriorate quickly. Thought I would share this experience as a friendly reminder to y'all to be prepared!