Funny old weather!
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Funny old weather!
Well, I finally got me and the aeroplane together again!
I flew Sunday morning! OVC007 but 5k vis at Southend, and G-UTSY was due in Biggin for a nice paint tidy-up job. Filed IFR, nobody else in the sky, smooth handover from Southend to Thames to Biggin. All over in 20 minutes (shame).
Only problem was the WIND. Thames told me to steer 245, then asked why I was flying 270. Steered 225 and all was well.
Got to Biggin, on the ILS, and popped out at 1200 feet into nice weather. By the time we'd landed and parked, it was SCT 1500, and when we got to the pub down the road, CAVOK.
Funny old weather! If we'd waited at Southend for it to clear up, I bet it would have gone below minima.
One embarrassing moment - I forgot to turn off my cellphone, and half way down the ILS I could feel it vibrating in my pocket. Ignored it, and concentrated on flying the beast. When I landed, found it was the Missus (driving to collect me) who reckoned the weather was so bad at the Thames bridge we couldn't get into Biggin.
I flew Sunday morning! OVC007 but 5k vis at Southend, and G-UTSY was due in Biggin for a nice paint tidy-up job. Filed IFR, nobody else in the sky, smooth handover from Southend to Thames to Biggin. All over in 20 minutes (shame).
Only problem was the WIND. Thames told me to steer 245, then asked why I was flying 270. Steered 225 and all was well.
Got to Biggin, on the ILS, and popped out at 1200 feet into nice weather. By the time we'd landed and parked, it was SCT 1500, and when we got to the pub down the road, CAVOK.
Funny old weather! If we'd waited at Southend for it to clear up, I bet it would have gone below minima.
One embarrassing moment - I forgot to turn off my cellphone, and half way down the ILS I could feel it vibrating in my pocket. Ignored it, and concentrated on flying the beast. When I landed, found it was the Missus (driving to collect me) who reckoned the weather was so bad at the Thames bridge we couldn't get into Biggin.
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In a strong gusting wind, G-UTSY takes on some resemblance to a highly-strung horse.
A firm hand on the reins, keep a bit of power on, add flap in small dollops, and she still behaves immaculately!
But you're right - I shouldn't insult her. She's taken me to some very nice places and done some very nice things.
A firm hand on the reins, keep a bit of power on, add flap in small dollops, and she still behaves immaculately!
But you're right - I shouldn't insult her. She's taken me to some very nice places and done some very nice things.
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Keef,
You were lucky to get up at all, evepee & I were going to go up i nthe kolibear, but sunday morning was dire so I cancelled it.
It cleared up at about 1:00 pm but by that time I was committed to doing other things so I had to watch the cloud being blown away as it cleared to a beautiful blue sky
You were lucky to get up at all, evepee & I were going to go up i nthe kolibear, but sunday morning was dire so I cancelled it.
It cleared up at about 1:00 pm but by that time I was committed to doing other things so I had to watch the cloud being blown away as it cleared to a beautiful blue sky
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Ceiling and Visibility OK
- no cloud below 5000 feet, or below the highest minimum sector altitude (whichever is higher),
- visibility 10 km or better
- no Cumulonimbus cloud
- no significant weather at or in the vicinity of the aerodrome.
There used to be another one called CAVU, which I think was "ceiling and visibility unlimited" - something like "No cloud at all, vis 50km or better". But it never happened and I think has fallen into disuse.
It really was CAVOK for a large part of Sunday afternoon round here. I even got the telescope out after dusk.
- no cloud below 5000 feet, or below the highest minimum sector altitude (whichever is higher),
- visibility 10 km or better
- no Cumulonimbus cloud
- no significant weather at or in the vicinity of the aerodrome.
There used to be another one called CAVU, which I think was "ceiling and visibility unlimited" - something like "No cloud at all, vis 50km or better". But it never happened and I think has fallen into disuse.
It really was CAVOK for a large part of Sunday afternoon round here. I even got the telescope out after dusk.
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Stars in the eyes, I reckon.
I'm sure there's a relevant Goon Show comment, but at this time of the morning I can't remember it.
I was out with the telescope again earlier - finally managed to see the Crab Nebula (through all the light pollution of SE Essex).
I'm sure there's a relevant Goon Show comment, but at this time of the morning I can't remember it.
I was out with the telescope again earlier - finally managed to see the Crab Nebula (through all the light pollution of SE Essex).
Why do it if it's not fun?
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Keef's more thorough answer than mine is completely correct, and yes, it does happen sometimes!
I always thought CAVU was American - I've seen it in various places on the internet, but never seen it in any (UK) met books or texts???
FFF
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I always thought CAVU was American - I've seen it in various places on the internet, but never seen it in any (UK) met books or texts???
FFF
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FFF - yes, could be it's American. That would make sense, since I have flown with no clouds in sight and vis over 100 miles over there. Crossing Arizona from LA to the Grand Canyon, and a fabulous trip, too.
I'm not even sure the Americans use CAVU any more. Not seen it on any US TAFs or METARs in recent times that I can remember.
Someone will no doubt now go and fine one...
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I'm not even sure the Americans use CAVU any more. Not seen it on any US TAFs or METARs in recent times that I can remember.
Someone will no doubt now go and fine one...
0:-)
