Would you fly in this weather?
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Would you fly in this weather?
I'm going on my first flight tomorrow and the weather looks like this-wind 225@14 gusting to 19.(runway heading 180)vis10km cloud cover 43% cloud base 3000.There are light rain showers nearby expected 0.3mm to fall.Do you think my flight will be cancelled?Aircraft is a cessna 172N
Last edited by Gulfstream757; 1st Nov 2012 at 11:26.
your going to have to get used to that in ireland. Join Date: Feb 2007
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The only real issue would be the wind. On the Northern hemisphere in a gust the wind veers about 20-30 degrees. So your mean wind (225@14) might become something like 250@19 in a gust. If runway 18 is in use you now have a crosswind component of a tad under 19 knots.
I'm not familiar with the 172N in particular, but the demonstrated x-wind for most of the aircraft in this class is 17 knots. Most aircraft can handle much higher x-winds than that, but require up-to-date flying skills to do so.
If this is your first flight, don't expect that the instructor will let you do the take-off or landing. And depending on the terrain the flight might be very bumpy, especially since the cloud base will force you to remain below 3000 feet.
Best way to prevent airsickness is to refrain from consuming alcohol in the 24 hours leading up to the flight, making sure you've slept well, and make sure you've eaten normally. Don't fly on an empty stomach, but don't overeat either. And if you do start to feel unwell, tell the instructor straight away.
But the clouds, visibility and the light rain will not be a problem at all. If the forecast holds, that is.
I'm not familiar with the 172N in particular, but the demonstrated x-wind for most of the aircraft in this class is 17 knots. Most aircraft can handle much higher x-winds than that, but require up-to-date flying skills to do so.
If this is your first flight, don't expect that the instructor will let you do the take-off or landing. And depending on the terrain the flight might be very bumpy, especially since the cloud base will force you to remain below 3000 feet.
Best way to prevent airsickness is to refrain from consuming alcohol in the 24 hours leading up to the flight, making sure you've slept well, and make sure you've eaten normally. Don't fly on an empty stomach, but don't overeat either. And if you do start to feel unwell, tell the instructor straight away.
But the clouds, visibility and the light rain will not be a problem at all. If the forecast holds, that is.
Last edited by BackPacker; 1st Nov 2012 at 11:48.
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Thanks for the great advice!I'm 14 so although a lot of my friends drink I don't,I don't want to end up getting drunk doing something stupid,getting hurt or anything like that also I play a lot of sports so I want to keep healthy.Yeah the wind was my main concern but I was told I won't do the takeoff or landing anyway.I 've been in a 172 before and it was pretty bumpy I wasn't flying but I was fine.I really appreciate your help may I ask you another few questions?
Last edited by Gulfstream757; 1st Nov 2012 at 11:58.
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I've about 250hrs on a C172N and 14G19 should be a doddle for anyone comfortable on type and I'd personally have no concerns flying in the weather above.
Departure and approach might be a bit bumpy but perfectly within the aircrafts capabilities assuming the FI is happy with it. Given the cloud cover is expected SCT 3000 your FI can always climb above it if its too bumpy below...
Departure and approach might be a bit bumpy but perfectly within the aircrafts capabilities assuming the FI is happy with it. Given the cloud cover is expected SCT 3000 your FI can always climb above it if its too bumpy below...
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I have flown in those conditions regularly. They're no problem for a current and experienced pilot which I assume you'll be flying with. An Instructor?
But conditions could be great deal worse than that. I think those winds might be a little optimistic. There are some strong winds forecast for tomorrow. I'm guessing it's Newcastle airfield which is on the coast. Wind can be very strong there. I wonder if it's even usable? Most of the grass strips in this country effectively unusable with all this rain.
Your pilot will no doubt make the right decision tomorrow.
But conditions could be great deal worse than that. I think those winds might be a little optimistic. There are some strong winds forecast for tomorrow. I'm guessing it's Newcastle airfield which is on the coast. Wind can be very strong there. I wonder if it's even usable? Most of the grass strips in this country effectively unusable with all this rain.
Your pilot will no doubt make the right decision tomorrow.
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Its not newcastle though
If you are just trying to throw people off your location then it's pretty pointless because local terrain has significant effects.
The forecast you are looking at isn't an aviation one either so is being done with a different understanding in mind.
Anway...this time I year I put no faith in forecasts for flying other than ones on the day. Even those I have a health suspission about
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Who said anything about it being in Ireland?
Could you recommend any web sites that give aviation forecasts?
ADDS - METARs
But you have to be able to read TAFs and METARs, which are the aviation weather forecasts for a specific airfield, and actuals for an airfield. However, if you select "translated" it tries to convert the codes to plain English.
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GS,
The point I was trying to make is that a forecast is for a specific place. General forecasts can give a reasonable indication of the enroute weather but the immediate terrain surrounding an airport can make a huge difference for the local airport.
For example, if you were flying from Newcastle, the weather is likely to be quite different from a general forecast because of the high terrain around it and the sea, and you'd need to give some consideration to the wind direction and the effects on the local terrain.
If you use an aviation forecast it will take this into account, but only for the airport that it's reporting for. Another airport 10 miles away could have very different terrain around it. Eg. Using a forecast for Dublin airport wouldn't be directly relevant to ground conditions at Newcastle unless you give consideration to the terrain of both airports.
Unless you want to be a little more specific about where you are flying from, there isn't a lot of value on people giving their opinions on a general area weather forecast.
If you don't want to be more specific about your location, then best ask the pilot/school that you'll be flying with for their opinion.
dp
The point I was trying to make is that a forecast is for a specific place. General forecasts can give a reasonable indication of the enroute weather but the immediate terrain surrounding an airport can make a huge difference for the local airport.
For example, if you were flying from Newcastle, the weather is likely to be quite different from a general forecast because of the high terrain around it and the sea, and you'd need to give some consideration to the wind direction and the effects on the local terrain.
If you use an aviation forecast it will take this into account, but only for the airport that it's reporting for. Another airport 10 miles away could have very different terrain around it. Eg. Using a forecast for Dublin airport wouldn't be directly relevant to ground conditions at Newcastle unless you give consideration to the terrain of both airports.
Unless you want to be a little more specific about where you are flying from, there isn't a lot of value on people giving their opinions on a general area weather forecast.
If you don't want to be more specific about your location, then best ask the pilot/school that you'll be flying with for their opinion.
dp
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This site will decode your TAFs and METARS Aviation Weather for Pilots : CheckWX.com
Only works for larger airports mind.
Only works for larger airports mind.
Last edited by thing; 2nd Nov 2012 at 11:25.
lightning mate
he may have been in a 172 before but maybe as a passenger, and this could be his first training flight.
don't be so quick to accuse people of trolling.
he may have been in a 172 before but maybe as a passenger, and this could be his first training flight.
don't be so quick to accuse people of trolling.
Last edited by AndoniP; 2nd Nov 2012 at 14:14.
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As stated above you are not using aviation weather, but based on what you have in your forecast, if you were flying in Ireland and the cloud base was 3000, you'd be well able to fly as most of your flying especially if under an hour flight total, would be flying at 2,000' - 2,500' (what type of cloud, FEW,SCT,BKN?)I was of the impression that gust were only indicated if they were in excess of 10knts not 5? I may be wrong. In any case, the weather around Ireland at most airports today at ground level is between 240° - 280°at between 6 knts and 23 knts (if you were flying from Dublin).You should tell us a bit more about where the flight is, out of what aerodrome, and then people could give you more information. If you have a smart phone, there are dozens of apps that you could download, just type METAR or TAF in and you should get a load of free ones. I would suggest Aeroweather, Its updated every 30 mins.Hope some of the above helps.Cessna Student Pilot (flying out of Weston)
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I prefer Weather town : United Kingdom - Ireland as its a bit more "no nonsense" and highlights when the report was made,
but for ground winds, http://www.windfinder.com/forecasts/wind_british_isles_akt.htm works well, as it includes non-aviation forecasts as well, which helps to fill in some of the gaps.
However - this is a bit off topic?
Once thing G757 is that you need to learn to trust your instructor. If they say its fine - then it is.
but for ground winds, http://www.windfinder.com/forecasts/wind_british_isles_akt.htm works well, as it includes non-aviation forecasts as well, which helps to fill in some of the gaps.
However - this is a bit off topic?
Once thing G757 is that you need to learn to trust your instructor. If they say its fine - then it is.
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Thank you all so much for your contribution unfortunately the flight was cancelled due to wind,but it will go ahead tomorrow as originally planned the weather looks a lot better clear skies at about 13 knots gusting to 16.