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Old 28th Feb 2006, 13:43
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GusHoneybun
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Westward TV
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I'm suprised by this post!

A few points.

1) The wind does not change that much during a normal flight. If you fail to check the weather prior to your departure then you have failed in your pre flight planning. The weather, both metar and taf's are freely available on more than one website. Plus, you call the tower at your destination and they are more than happy to give you an up to the minute report, plus any trend that their local knowledge might have detected. If it's looking dicey then fer gawds sake don't set off.

2) In flight, you can monitor the weather at (or near to) you destination via the volmet. The frequency is on your chart. So, if it does turn to poo then you know much earlier rather than overhead you destination with naff all fuel left.

3) As for diversions, again this is your responsibility. You know your own personal limits and that of the aircraft, not some guy in D&D. Do not relinquish any aspect of the safety of the flight. Remember you are the one that signed for the aircraft so it's your responsibility.

4) As for selecting a diversion, go and get yourself a 1 in 250000 chart. These have the orientation of all the hard runways surfaces marked. If the wind has caught you out then just select the nearest hard runway reasonably into wind. Or carry a pooleys in your flight bag. Or better still, check the sodding weather before you set out!
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