Flying over fog...
PPruNaholic!
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Buckinghamshire
Age: 61
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Warriokee" - nice one! 
It's a PA28-236 Dakota, don't you know!!
I guess I should've done the engine run-up a bit further away from the Enstone shack!?
Andy
It's a PA28-236 Dakota, don't you know!!I guess I should've done the engine run-up a bit further away from the Enstone shack!?
Andy
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Burgess Hill, UK
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Missed flying over all the fog this weekend, but it looks like I'll have the chance in the next few days still!
Great fun, but as others have said you need to be careful to make sure you know where you are and have an escape plan.
As for "clear of cloud and in sight of the surface" surely that means exactly as it says. As long as you can see some of the surface, whether a hill in the distance, or down through some holes thats good enough, legally.
Yes, if your engine stops, you have a problem, but you also do flying in the mountains or over the water or even over a large forest.
Those that think they are better off flying with an IMC rating or IR over the fog I think are mistaken. Thats not going to make much difference if your engine fails and anyway, the fog is probably below the minimums for your rating anyway. The only advantage you would have with such a rating is if your plan wasnt so good and the fog moved leaving you with nowhere to land VFR. Of course again assuming that somewhere with an approach procedure was above your minima!
Great fun, but as others have said you need to be careful to make sure you know where you are and have an escape plan.
As for "clear of cloud and in sight of the surface" surely that means exactly as it says. As long as you can see some of the surface, whether a hill in the distance, or down through some holes thats good enough, legally.
Yes, if your engine stops, you have a problem, but you also do flying in the mountains or over the water or even over a large forest.
Those that think they are better off flying with an IMC rating or IR over the fog I think are mistaken. Thats not going to make much difference if your engine fails and anyway, the fog is probably below the minimums for your rating anyway. The only advantage you would have with such a rating is if your plan wasnt so good and the fog moved leaving you with nowhere to land VFR. Of course again assuming that somewhere with an approach procedure was above your minima!
PPruNaholic!
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Buckinghamshire
Age: 61
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, if your engine stops, you have a problem, but you also do flying in the mountains or over the water or even over a large forest
Of course I don't mean to be flippant regarding the need to have a way out should the fan-stop, all I'm saying is that we are typically very lucky here with our mixed rural-urban envirnments outside of the metropolis(es) in that mostly we have landable fields nearby except for over the hills (Wales, Pennines, Scotland etc) and the Channel / Irish Sea / North Sea etc..
Andy
Last edited by Aussie Andy; 24th Nov 2005 at 06:17.
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: South East
Age: 56
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It may have already been said before, but although you maybe required, by law to remain 'clear of cloud' and in sight of the surface. You have to way up the pro's and cons. Do you descend into the fog to try and find, the surface? Hit the surface or obstacle? Or remain VMC, assess whether the fog is due to local topography (valleys etc) and continue on same track. Or Turn back to where there was no fog, and land safely.
I would rather survive and be bollocked for bending the rules, than be injured or killed for trying to apply the rules.
I have only a little flying experience, so that is only my opinion, and the opinion of some others spoken to on the topic.
But with all that in mind, son't forget to ask your friendly local ATC unit, or even D&D (in UK) for help, if you ever get into difficulty.
Safe flying!!!!!!!
I would rather survive and be bollocked for bending the rules, than be injured or killed for trying to apply the rules.
I have only a little flying experience, so that is only my opinion, and the opinion of some others spoken to on the topic.
But with all that in mind, son't forget to ask your friendly local ATC unit, or even D&D (in UK) for help, if you ever get into difficulty.
Safe flying!!!!!!!
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Northampton
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Barnaby, as far as I understand it, you can bend ANY rule the ICAO/CAA/JAA or otherwise has conjured up for the purposes of saving life or the prevention of serious injury.
Cheers, Jack.
Cheers, Jack.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Northampton
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm trying to distinguish between things going 'wrong' and things turning 'lethal' here - the latter of which should only happen if something is wrong with the machine or the passengers, just to touch the tip of the iceberg. Human error leading to such a situation is so easily avoided with a good plan of action on terra firma before taking an aircraft away from the ground.
And yes, the idea you quoted me on is questionable, I agree.
Cheers and thanks for the input, Jack.
And yes, the idea you quoted me on is questionable, I agree.
Cheers and thanks for the input, Jack.
