Flying Around Thunderstorms w/out Radar

[135wannabe]

What is a diplomatic way to tell management (chief pilot, crew scheduling, whoever) that the weather is too bad to launch. I'm talking about one of these small bubbaclub 135 freight outfits where they want you to go no matter what. The people in charge at those types operations are usually pilots themselves. I've heard that unless a storm is right over the field (or close by), they want you to go ahead and go. I guess they will rather see you deviate 50 miles the opposite direction instead of not go at all. Is it appropriate to delay for a few hours for weather?? I know the airlines sometimes do this, but is this something that a 135 single pilot freightdog would do??

 

[Dr4uh60l]

With my company, the decision is up to the PIC. True--the cargo has to go if at all possible, but safety comes first. All pilots know the limitations of their airplanes, but SMART pilots know their personal limitations. Our OpSpecs (Operation Specifications approved by the FAA) prohibit us from flying into thunderstorms. However, it doesn't say anything about flying OUT of them...LOL. Thunderstorms are no joke and should be avoided. In the summer time, the "pop up" storms are generally isolated and easy to get around. Take a closer look if embedded storms are forecast---STAY AWAY from those. Usually, if you can't get into you destination airport you will know in advance and your company can contact your courier and meet you at an alternate. That's what I do and have never missed a delivery due to weather.

PS. I have never, and will never bust minimums on an approach in order to get a bunch of checks there. They don't bounce off the end of the runway! Flight Express stresses safety and not busting minimums. That'sw one reason I went to work for them and not some other "here today, gone tomorrow"company.

 

[embdrvr]

Lots of good advice so far. The only thing I have to add is make sure you know your Vb speed for your aircraft.
Also be aware that dropping the gear in some aircraft may help the situation. For one thing it helps you slow down without shock cooling and it adds a bit to stability. Be sure you don't exceed Vle if you try it.

 

[Checks]

If they want you to deviate around those T-Storms then go ahead and do it. If you have to go from Chicago to St Louis via Cleveland then that is all the more flight time for you.

Have Fun

 

[bigD]

In my instrument training ground school the instructor told us that when lightening strikes, the ADF needle will jump and point at the location of the strike...anyone tried this? Anyone actually use this? seems rather primative but i guess ya cant knock it till ya try it right?

I've done this on a late Summer flight through the southwest in a 182. The needle certainly swings with lightning strikes, but in my case there were cells all over the place, and the needle was swinging every which way. Basically there were too many strikes in too many directions to glean any useful information from it. It might be useful with fewer cells, but I certainly wouldn't use it as an excuse to launch into IMC with no radar and embedded convective activity around.