Nice day for flying VMC on top

[hotprop]

Thanks for reminding me just WHY I have an IR rating. Punching through a cloud to sunny skies is an uplifting experience. Makes the gloom below go away for a day or two...

Nice pics Omcaree

[omcaree]

Apologies for the poor choice of host for the pics, only intended to post them on our flying clubs forum so it would have been alright for that, but after seeing this thread i couldn't resist.

I'll be sticking them up on my own server soon so i'll post the new links if anyone is still interested (I'm also happy to host anyone elses pics, PM me if interested), be warned that my server is rather slow, but for pics it isn't a problem.


Mr Magoo check your PM's

Cheers

Owen Mc

[omcaree]

Given up on my server, but this place was recommended so lets see if this works.

http://www.myfilebucket.com/userfile...e/100_0510.JPG
http://www.myfilebucket.com/userfile...e/100_0512.JPG
http://www.myfilebucket.com/userfile...e/100_0520.JPG
http://www.myfilebucket.com/userfile...e/100_0526.JPG
http://www.myfilebucket.com/userfile...e/100_0530.JPG
http://www.myfilebucket.com/userfile...e/100_0537.JPG
http://www.myfilebucket.com/userfile...e/100_0544.JPG
http://www.myfilebucket.com/userfile...e/100_0545.JPG

And under the cloud again, it looked like this (again)
http://www.myfilebucket.com/userfile...e/100_0547.JPG
http://www.myfilebucket.com/userfile...e/100_0557.JPG


If this fails then I give up

Cheers

Owen Mc

[oscarmike]

Flyin'Dutch:

Must have been you that moved onto the grass when I came taxying down in the Lance.

At EGBW? If so, 'twas indeed!

Are you based there?

Regaards

OM

[pipertommy]

Just started my IMC yesterday and have just thought of a question on cloud tops while i was reading this.How do you work out the tops of the clouds(approx)? I know how to approximate the cloud base with the dew point and temperature difference just the tops not sure of.

[FlyingForFun]

Tommy,

I'm sure someone here will have a nice formula for working it out given the prevailing temperature, dewpoint and how many days it is since they last changed their underwear.

But personally, I prefer to read the cloud tops from MetForm 215 - it's far easier! (And it saves having to worry about when I changed my underwear, too!)

Also, it's not uncommon, if the lowest cloud layer is only scattered and not very deep, to be able to see roughly where the tops are from below, looking between the gaps - maybe not with any real accuracy, be enough to decide whether it's realistic to try to get on top, at least.

FFF
------------

[jezbowman]

But the Metform 215 only gives the forecasted tops - not the actuals. And they are often quite different figures.

If you're flying from a larger airport with commerical operations then the tower / approach will often have a good idea thanks to PIREPS from the big boys.

I think you can get a good idea by knowing the actual cloud base, the forecasted cloud tops and having a good look to estimate the amount of light getting through the layer - for example here (just south of East Midlands) it was nearly dark at 1pm yesterday!

[omcaree]

I was flying from East Midlands yesterday and the forecast cloud tops was between 8000 and 10,000 feet, however when i got up to 3000 and I was through the cloud. saying that, there was another layer of cloud above me, base of about 8000ft as an estimate, but as far as i remember this isn't what was forecast (not that i'm complaining, got some more good pics )

If I remember rightly there is an equation to estimate the cloud base as well as one for cloud tops, I just can't remember what they are. I remember using them in the past and never agreeing with form 215.

Cheers

Owen

PS. I was landing at east mids at about 1345 yesterdsy and it wasn't really dark, but they did have the lights on

[pipertommy]

Thanks for the replies,guess its a case of using 215 for a very rough guide.cheers this may sound daft but what is pireps stand for?

[omcaree]

PIREP = Pilots Report

well I think that's right

[pipertommy]

Ah ! well you learn something new every day! cheers.Another quick question on met 215 the cloud given as ie ST 2000/6000 does this mean base at 2000 and top at 6000?

[Andy_R]

Affirmative estimated of course

[Nardi Riviera]

On top sounds scary

Had me worried there for a while. Guess I misinterpreted the item. Sorry.

Choose to delete original text instead of adding new post, as you obviously didn't need the "info".

Must say that I find most ppruners very nice, knowledgeable and accomodating individuals. Nice place.

[Aussie Andy]

Nardi: we appreciate your concern, but the context here is properly trained and qualified UK IMC Rating holders who are able to conduct instrument let-downs. Of course appropriate weather decisions must be made - as with all flying - in accordance with experience (personal minima), aircraft capabilities, forecast outlook, etc.

Cheers!

Andy

[pipertommy]

Thanks again.Very good points made! Got my next lesson on limited panel this coming monday,should be interesting.Love flying imc a nice new challange