| Taking to the skies on a clear and calm day is one of | | | | make a go or no-go decision based on the observed |
| the most gratifying experiences known to mankind... | | | | weather minimums. Pilot confidence becomes a factor |
| well actually, pilots would know what I mean. But civil | | | | here. How can a pilot develop confidence without the |
| aviation pilots who are rated for VFR, or visual flight | | | | experience of flying in less than perfect weather? |
| rules, need good weather to fly safely and legally. The | | | | Cloud clearance and visibility are only one aspect of |
| question is however, should a civil aviation VFR pilot | | | | aviation weather. The wind is the other major factor |
| only fly when weather is calm, clear, and near perfect? | | | | influencing a pilot's decision to get airborne and fly or |
| The answer any flight instructor would promptly | | | | stay safely on the ground. Flying on perfect days with |
| proclaim is no. Flying an airplane under visual flight rules | | | | little or no wind is enjoyable however it is not the |
| requires a minimum visibility as well as the ability to | | | | recommended method of building pilot confidence. The |
| remain clear of the clouds at specific distances | | | | crosswind limitation for every aircraft is documented in |
| depending on airspace and time of day. With all | | | | the appropriate operating handbook for safety. A pilot |
| airplanes, wind also becomes a consideration. The | | | | who is willing to safely push his or her personal limits |
| maximum crosswind component of each individual | | | | flying intentionally on windy days prepares him or |
| aircraft is clearly defined in the pilot's operating | | | | herself for flying into poor weather conditions |
| handbook. Exceeding this maximum wind rating can be | | | | unexpectedly. |
| catastrophic. Can a civil aviation pilot gain confidence if | | | | There is no question a civil aviation pilot builds |
| he or she never pushes the envelope regarding flying | | | | confidence with experience. Weather is always a |
| weather? | | | | primary concern in the world of aviation regardless of |
| Checking aviation weather websites is the first step in | | | | the aircraft or the pilot and if a pilot wants to build |
| determining whether legal VFR conditions exist, but the | | | | confidence regarding imperfect weather, then it's time |
| five senses are much more important in determining | | | | to go flying. Many pilots request the company of a |
| acceptable weather conditions once the pilot is actually | | | | certified flight instructor to aid in confidence building |
| at the airport. The local weather reports the cloud | | | | during less than optimum flying weather as this is |
| ceiling and visibility well above VFR minimums, but what | | | | always beneficial. There is no question, however, that |
| happens when the pilot arrives at the airfield to find the | | | | pilot confidence goes hand-in-hand with flying |
| weather looking less appealing? The pilot must then | | | | experience. |