Well, the trip up to get my nieces went great Wednesday (return yesterday). There was a large system of thunderstorms moving from northwest to southeast and I wasn't sure I could get up there in front of them. So, I launched, fulling intending to watch them in the air and stop enroute if I couldn't beat them to Portage.
As I got to Truman MOA going north, it was hot and I would have had to go to FL240 to go over it; instead, I chose to circumnavigate to the side. Center initially gave me a heading to the west--which pointed me more into the storm system farther north; so, I requested east and was promptly turned over to Rockford. The did bring me east, which turned out great. As I got farther north, I had to go to the east of Rockford, then north to Portage.
The 396 and on-board radar worked great. Huge system with tops up to FL600 advancing and I was able to say 30 to 40 miles east of the big stuff; just flew through some stuff in front and got a little rain, some bumps and around I went! The is something I never would have even attempted a couple years ago without the NEXRAD weather on board!
Pulled the plane into a hanger just as some light rain began. There were some real fireworks later that evening and early morning. Then, it all blew out and we left right behind it yesterday.
Great trip back at FL180 where it was pretty hot: about 0 C,
Satruday, the trip to Hawaii begins!
Best,
Dave