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scared of weather
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When I first started with my Caravan job a few years back, I was in the process of doing my IOE. I was flying with my chief pilot on a stormy night. I went to check the radar before our flight, and I remember him saying to me, "Don't worry about the radar, we're going anyway." I grew BIG ba##s fast!
wingnutt
...recognize this?
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- Mar 31, 2002
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- 1,078
well, as much as id like to condone flying blind...i cant. and those of you that do it only to gain "pilot points" with your stories of bravery at the local FBO are simply not using your head.
go ahead and do it your way, fly into a hail storm, cause in excess of $10,000 in damage to the aircraft, let your boss chew your rear extremeties off, THEN come tell me you wont look at the radar.
go ahead and be the big bad pilot, and when you descended to 3000 feet in order to get under that weird green cloud ahead of you, get caught in a 1200fpm downdraft in the process, THEN come tell me you wont look at the radar after you need a prybar to remove the seat cover from you rear extremeties.
after a few years of fling into wx in a ratted out (insert company aircraft here) you will appreciate at least knowing whats ahead, and the general direction to take that will keep you out of the worst of it...or at the very least, give you the most direct route thru.
c'mon guys, a little common sense here is all thats needed. its fine to say your gonna go regardless, but a little preperation may save more than just your life.
go ahead and do it your way, fly into a hail storm, cause in excess of $10,000 in damage to the aircraft, let your boss chew your rear extremeties off, THEN come tell me you wont look at the radar.
go ahead and be the big bad pilot, and when you descended to 3000 feet in order to get under that weird green cloud ahead of you, get caught in a 1200fpm downdraft in the process, THEN come tell me you wont look at the radar after you need a prybar to remove the seat cover from you rear extremeties.
after a few years of fling into wx in a ratted out (insert company aircraft here) you will appreciate at least knowing whats ahead, and the general direction to take that will keep you out of the worst of it...or at the very least, give you the most direct route thru.
c'mon guys, a little common sense here is all thats needed. its fine to say your gonna go regardless, but a little preperation may save more than just your life.
2
210FR8DOG
well said
You're right 'nutt. I haven't missed a flight yet in 18 months with Fright Express. But I have always had some kind of plan to go under, around, through it if I have to and not shy about keeping it below Va in the worst of it. 95 percent of the time it's nothing, but always know where the VMC is.
Also, I know you guys will cringe at this, I actually landed for the first time last week because of weather. I never heard a stall horn go off @ 140 KIAS and the climb rate was over 1000 FPM with the engines at idle!! Throw in about 40 or 50 ground strikes within about a 10 mile radius and I threw in the towel. The blood and poopy got there 2 hours late but it did get there. I am covinced this was a very wise decision even though it did hurt my 'dog pride a little!!
fly safe,
Jeff
You're right 'nutt. I haven't missed a flight yet in 18 months with Fright Express. But I have always had some kind of plan to go under, around, through it if I have to and not shy about keeping it below Va in the worst of it. 95 percent of the time it's nothing, but always know where the VMC is.
Also, I know you guys will cringe at this, I actually landed for the first time last week because of weather. I never heard a stall horn go off @ 140 KIAS and the climb rate was over 1000 FPM with the engines at idle!! Throw in about 40 or 50 ground strikes within about a 10 mile radius and I threw in the towel. The blood and poopy got there 2 hours late but it did get there. I am covinced this was a very wise decision even though it did hurt my 'dog pride a little!!
fly safe,
Jeff
Future SNA
KILL
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- May 22, 2002
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- 244
I think the big thing *old pro's* need to remember is there was a time and a place, that many of you we're doing the very same things many of us talk about on here. My favorite saying is, "I would never fly a single-engine aircraft in IMC." Just remember this is all a learning experience, and we are *attempting* to move up in the world, as did you one day. If you can honestly say you've NEVER flown into a *possible* line of rain/storms/whatever not knowing 100% you'd come out just fine, no dents, etc., I'd have to say you were lying. A 17,000 hour pilot got struck by lightening last week near my home base and did 5X the 10K number you posted, but do you think anyone criticized him?
Webslinger
Well-known member
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- Mar 21, 2002
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- 119
Ego's
Speaking as a former frieght pilot, I will state an old paraphrase that still holds true today and is healthy to remember regardless of "how much time" or "type ratings" or "moon landings" anyone has- and that is "THERE ARE OLD PILOTS, AND BOLD PILOTS, BUT THERE ARE NO - OLD AND BOLD PILOTS". Corny I know but just my .02 cents worth. Fly safe Gents.
Speaking as a former frieght pilot, I will state an old paraphrase that still holds true today and is healthy to remember regardless of "how much time" or "type ratings" or "moon landings" anyone has- and that is "THERE ARE OLD PILOTS, AND BOLD PILOTS, BUT THERE ARE NO - OLD AND BOLD PILOTS". Corny I know but just my .02 cents worth. Fly safe Gents.
Kingairrick
Rare user
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- Aug 22, 2002
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- 886
I'm gettin' real
When I worked for flight express, I would lie awake at night wondering if I would live through the next day. Scared of weather???You Bet.
All it takes is the one storm/line that you know you came out the other side because of pure luck. It happened to me, and I will NEVER do it again.
Bravado will get you killed in this business.
When I worked for flight express, I would lie awake at night wondering if I would live through the next day. Scared of weather???You Bet.
All it takes is the one storm/line that you know you came out the other side because of pure luck. It happened to me, and I will NEVER do it again.
Bravado will get you killed in this business.
CU@OSHKOSH
Active member
- Joined
- May 1, 2003
- Posts
- 29
"assuming that you actually have a radar in your plane!
Many of us did not. "
You still have radar on the ground though a weather terminal, or the internet.
If a company will fire you for not flying into dangerous weather they are not worth working for. I realize that is easy for me to say since my company wouldn t do that. Nevertheless i think your family and loved ones would agree.
Also pilots that do fly though any thing without giving it a thought give this busisness a bad name and also cause the non flying emoloyees, like dispatchers, to expect the same recless judgement all in the name of being on time.
I sure would nt want "His plane did not have radar" on my tombstone.
Bobby
PS braging about all the level 5's that you flew through does not impress anyone. Brag it to the wrong person it could cost you a potential job.
Many of us did not. "
You still have radar on the ground though a weather terminal, or the internet.
If a company will fire you for not flying into dangerous weather they are not worth working for. I realize that is easy for me to say since my company wouldn t do that. Nevertheless i think your family and loved ones would agree.
Also pilots that do fly though any thing without giving it a thought give this busisness a bad name and also cause the non flying emoloyees, like dispatchers, to expect the same recless judgement all in the name of being on time.
I sure would nt want "His plane did not have radar" on my tombstone.
Bobby
PS braging about all the level 5's that you flew through does not impress anyone. Brag it to the wrong person it could cost you a potential job.
BoilerBacker
Member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2002
- Posts
- 24
weather
Hey USC
Isn't weather why we all love 1814W... pride of the fleet! After all, if you don't know it is out there, you can't waste time diverting!!! Or 44V, the infamous "Flying Turd #3"! ( I have no idea which is #1 or #2)
Be well and fly safe
Boilerbacker
PS
Just to clarify, I am being sarcastic. These planes are well known throughout the company as being "lightly equipped". None of us ever want these planes in storm season as they have no radar.
Hey USC
Isn't weather why we all love 1814W... pride of the fleet! After all, if you don't know it is out there, you can't waste time diverting!!! Or 44V, the infamous "Flying Turd #3"! ( I have no idea which is #1 or #2)
Be well and fly safe
Boilerbacker
PS
Just to clarify, I am being sarcastic. These planes are well known throughout the company as being "lightly equipped". None of us ever want these planes in storm season as they have no radar.
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I'll never forget this story/joke about weather.
The setting is backin the late 60's at Air Force pilot training. There was a sign in the training center that read "There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime"
the next photo showed a picture of the operations officers desk in Vietnam. He had a sign that said "There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm period"
For all of you, I'm the ballsiest type pilots we will probably read about you someday. Me personally, I'd rather fly more combat missions (39 to date) than mess with mother nature.
The setting is backin the late 60's at Air Force pilot training. There was a sign in the training center that read "There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime"
the next photo showed a picture of the operations officers desk in Vietnam. He had a sign that said "There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm period"
For all of you, I'm the ballsiest type pilots we will probably read about you someday. Me personally, I'd rather fly more combat missions (39 to date) than mess with mother nature.
Re: weather
Holy crap, just 2 Barons with no radar?? Man, when I flew the 310s out of OMA I think there were only two ships in the fleet that had radar. 15C and 00G I recall were the ones to have on a dark and stormy night... but at least they had no autopilot or DME! Oh, and the air conditioner on 15C still worked...
JB
BoilerBacker said:
Holy crap, just 2 Barons with no radar?? Man, when I flew the 310s out of OMA I think there were only two ships in the fleet that had radar. 15C and 00G I recall were the ones to have on a dark and stormy night... but at least they had no autopilot or DME! Oh, and the air conditioner on 15C still worked...
JB
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JBcrjca
Well-known member
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- Jan 31, 2003
- Posts
- 167
I remember flying 1814W back in the early 90s, and I always thought it was cool because it had an early model Bendix COLOR radar. Guess it broke and is too expensive to repair? There were only 7 or 10 BE-58s in the fleet...1653W had a b&w radar, 78RE had a Stormscope; most others were blind as I recall. Many nights as I picked my way around TRWs I'd wonder 'how strong are those wings, anyway?' I'm glad Beech built a sturdy plane, got my butt home every time. I have many fond memories of check hauling, but thunderstorms aren't included in any of them. At least the company didn't threaten to fire you if you diverted or waited. I give USC/AirNet two thumbs up in that regard.
metrodriver
No jobs anymore in here??
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- Aug 25, 2002
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- 492
Several years ago I flew a metro from Oklahoma City to Wichita. About the same time a C310 would fly the same leg. Normally this pilot would listen to us talk to ATC and make the same decision (he had no radar, we had color tv ). This particular night he was off and a replacement was flying the run (and he didn't listen very well). There was a long line of level 5 and 6 storms, and for nearly half an hour we flew S turns in front of it to get a clear picture of the line and possible holes in it. Nothing. So we bailed out and went to our next intended stop, leaving it to company to rescue the cargo. Mr C310 however thought he was tough and could make it through alive. That he just barely did, but after he landed called up his boss and told him to send another pilot to continue the run, he was done flying for that night. I'm pretty sure the left seat had changed it's appearance (and smell) a bit.
Taking a look at radar before a flight is a standard practise for me, even with radar on board. It has saved my day many times. Once I did that and suggested the captain to take on extra fuel. He took my word and when we were close to our destination (DFW) a bad storm closed the field. Two hours holding later we were the first to land, everyone else had diverted and arrived several hours later, some even next day because of duty time limits being exceeded.
Taking a look at radar before a flight is a standard practise for me, even with radar on board. It has saved my day many times. Once I did that and suggested the captain to take on extra fuel. He took my word and when we were close to our destination (DFW) a bad storm closed the field. Two hours holding later we were the first to land, everyone else had diverted and arrived several hours later, some even next day because of duty time limits being exceeded.
wingnutt
...recognize this?
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well, it looks as if most of ya'll agree as a whole...thats good 
as a side note, i never implied that i had not been involved in things mentioned, just that...
1) i dont brag about em
2) i dont condone em
3) ill never do em again
4) if i can keep some fool from attempting similar, you bet i will.
...and radar IN the plane was not the subject, i was referring to radar on the ground. think about it...if your stupid enough to have radar in your aircraft, and still not look at it in the midst of a Level 5 embedded, well then perhaps you get what you deserve
...gee thats great, but the aircraft i referred to wasnt even worth "5x the 10k" in whole, or in part
as a side note, i never implied that i had not been involved in things mentioned, just that...
1) i dont brag about em
2) i dont condone em
3) ill never do em again
4) if i can keep some fool from attempting similar, you bet i will.
...and radar IN the plane was not the subject, i was referring to radar on the ground. think about it...if your stupid enough to have radar in your aircraft, and still not look at it in the midst of a Level 5 embedded, well then perhaps you get what you deserve
Future SNA said:
...gee thats great, but the aircraft i referred to wasnt even worth "5x the 10k" in whole, or in part
If you ask me the majority of our 310's are flying turds. There are a few exceptions: 00G, NT, and CS ( hey it has an a/p and radar).
Hey jbDC9 what's an airconditioner, you mean the blower, the window or the door right?
And scubabri there are times you would gladly give up your other nut to get out of the scary situation.
Fly safe, so long as you get the checks there on time
Hey jbDC9 what's an airconditioner, you mean the blower, the window or the door right?
And scubabri there are times you would gladly give up your other nut to get out of the scary situation.
Fly safe, so long as you get the checks there on time
Actually I'm 98% sure that 15C had a real, no kidding air conditioner... on/off switch was on the lower right subpanel and the air outlet was in the aft part of the cabin, above the "hat shelf", blowing forward along the ceiling. Maybe I was hallucinating, but the air seemed cool, not cold, and nice to have on a warm night. This was over 10 years ago, so maybe they yanked it outta there though... wouldn't surprise me.
Hey jbDC9 i dont think i have flown 15C, however you must have been hallucinating, it happens to me all the time in those convection ovens. The switch may have been there like the yaw dampener switch, you turn it on think wow i have a yaw dampener; even though it does absolutly nothing.
Just kidding, it may have had a/c, i think that a couple of barons in CMH still have it.
BoilerBacker, its been a while since i flew the barons. I flew out of DAL, they were all pretty sweet. With the exception of 67Q (which now is supposed to be decked out) all the planes had radar, they were mostly the old Midway barons (very nice). But i do like the idea not wasting time diverting since you are already flying blind.
Later
Just kidding, it may have had a/c, i think that a couple of barons in CMH still have it.
BoilerBacker, its been a while since i flew the barons. I flew out of DAL, they were all pretty sweet. With the exception of 67Q (which now is supposed to be decked out) all the planes had radar, they were mostly the old Midway barons (very nice). But i do like the idea not wasting time diverting since you are already flying blind.
Later
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