Winter Flying
 

I actually managed to go flying on Sunday and attempted a Perth - Oban flight. Perth was clear and Oban reported CAVOK, so I went for it.

At Crianlarich (about halfway), there was a bank of low cloud, with a base around 2500'. Only problem was, the highest mountain around there was 3700'+. I was flying up the valleys to find a way through, but drew the line once I couldn't see the end of the valley. Discretion got the better part of valour and I turned around (not being IMC rated) - the risk of encountering cumulus granitus was, in my opinion, too high (even with GPS). The option of going VFR on top would have been very handy ;)

Some idea of the scenery is attached, which is fairly striking!

Scottish Winter Flying 1
Scottish Winter Flying 2
Scottish Winter Flying 3
Scottish Winter Flying 4
Scottish Winter Flying 5

Sounds like you made a good call. It is a shame because Paul at Oban is one of the nicest people in GA, and a visit there is always very pleasant. I'll be going up in a month or two, and am already looking forward to it.

On the subject of wx, it is worth noting that even an IMC-rated pilot should have been looking to climb well above terrain, rather than entering cloud at a level lower than the surrounding hills and trusting in the GPS. A quick look at the maps suggests that an IFR flyer should be at at least 4500 feet, if not somewhat higher.

Why I fly - The pictures say it all
 

Wow great pictures, thanks for sharing!

Ian

Circuit,

Awesome photo's they remind me of flying around the Rockies though some of those Granite laced clouds are a lot higher.

As a controller I'm glad to hear that you decided to turn around, all too often the GA VFR pilot doesn't and we start getting reports from other pilots that they are picking up an ELT.

Mike
NATCA FWA

Thanks all for the nice comments about the photos - I'll pass on your compliments to my chief 'toggie (who's my wife ;) ). She was in the rear seat, keeping our dog quiet!

2 Asses ;) - I don't actually know Paul, but have had good reports from all the guys in the club and at Perth. We have long term family friends who run a yacht charter business in Oban, so we have been saying for ages we'll try to get across (at least for a coffee). However, we weren't desperate enough to push on regardless. Another day.

FWA NATCA - have done a lot of work in Calgary and used to slip across to Banff / Sunshine for the odd few weeks when the time was right! Scotland has dramatic scenery, but we're only looking at peaks that are usually not much in excess of 4,000 ft. The Rockies is somewhat more expansive! For some reason, we also don't get the snow that Canada gets.

For interest, those UK pilots who think that the whole of Canada is in the Arctic Circle, think on this; Halifax, Nova Scotia (get your maps out!) is on virtually the same latitude as Poole in Dorset. I spent 2 years commuting between Poole and Halifax, and was somewhat surprised when I found that out!