Would you fly?
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Planet Zorb
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Basil, being in the same position as you but retired I think that if the OP had to ask the question in the first place he had his doubts. This is commendable. However if one has doubts, don't do it if you don't have to. As indeed he didn't. That was a good flight safety decision. He was not under commercial or military pressures as I, and you, have been many times.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Wor Yerm
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I'll stick by what I wrote above but also have to agree with Terry & Chris. When I first started flying in single engine aircraft I was happy wherever I flew. I knew the ground over which I was flying quite intimately, more than most of my instructors. Others, being less familiar with area would demand considerably better weather to tempt them out. Only you can decide if the weather is OK being in mind those on this forum are not in the aircraft with you.
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Join Date: Nov 2000
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As a rule of thumb, after many years of agonising, I have drawn the conclusion that a 3 line taf is never VFR flyable. Stay in bed.
Join Date: Jun 2016
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I think you made the right choice... Mind you I'm very very cautious...
The other day there was a 10kt cross wind, I wanted to practise EFATO, different approaches and then get out in the local area to practise forced landings etc (basically the GASCo list)... The vis and cloud were fine, but for some reason the 10kt crosswind managed to completely put me off. I know the aircrafts limit is 18kt, and well within my capabilities. The airfield I'm at is particularly open and a 10kt wind just seemed particularly concerning... Despite seeing others going out.
Probably wasted a perfectly good flying day/days annual leave when it was flyable... But I wanted less wind for practising those drills... Some may say I' being daft, but I'm still here and will have the opportunity to try another day...
The other day there was a 10kt cross wind, I wanted to practise EFATO, different approaches and then get out in the local area to practise forced landings etc (basically the GASCo list)... The vis and cloud were fine, but for some reason the 10kt crosswind managed to completely put me off. I know the aircrafts limit is 18kt, and well within my capabilities. The airfield I'm at is particularly open and a 10kt wind just seemed particularly concerning... Despite seeing others going out.
Probably wasted a perfectly good flying day/days annual leave when it was flyable... But I wanted less wind for practising those drills... Some may say I' being daft, but I'm still here and will have the opportunity to try another day...
Join Date: Nov 2000
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But I wanted less wind for practising those drills...
"Yes I know I'm supposed to be able to land in a 15kt crosswind, and I know I'm supposed to be able to do a glide approach, but both at once? - c'mon now!"
I was joking, of course. If you're willing to go "normal" flying with a crosswind of x you have to be prepared for an emergency with a crosswind of x - the engine won't refrain from failing just because you don't like the wind direction that day.
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Probably wasted a perfectly good flying day/days annual leave when it was flyable...
Join Date: Jun 2004
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If you're willing to go "normal" flying with a crosswind of x you have to be prepared for an emergency with a crosswind of x - the engine won't refrain from failing just because you don't like the wind direction that day.