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Old 21st September 2011 | 09:03
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Pace
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,982
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From: In the boot of my car!
Shun

Back in the early days of flying when there was very poor attitude reference and nav instruments, pilots used to climb up through a solid over cast and once on top carve a circle in the flat cloud tops to use as a reference point for a spin descent after a clear air exercise.

Really being situational aware is important ie if your using a nice block of cumulus is the cloud coming straight at you? are you flying towards it in a headwind? or is the wind moving the cloud across your path?
Ok it might not be the most precise method but I must admit to using clouds to take a rest from the instruments.
Very important is flying amongst CBs where you will use the edge of the CB as a reference point work your way around and through weather.
So its ok if you are situationally aware

Pace
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