Tag: weather

  • Crossing the Country: A Flight Adventure

    Today, I planned a long cross-country flight. It supposed to literally cover almost half of the country. The weather was not perfect, but acceptable, and I set out towards the east. A significant part of the route went through controlled airspace, making my workload higher than usual. As I’m not yet used to talking to…

  • Resuming Flight Practice: Dealing with Turbulence

    After a break of about two months, I resumed my flying practice. The school required me to fly only with a safety pilot as my experience is still low. We took off normally, flew the standard pattern, and as we turned onto the base leg, we encountered a sudden and powerful downdraft. I began preparing…

  • Passing the EASA Private Pilot Checkride: Reaching the First Milestone

    Finally, I made it! To be honest, I was worried that I would have to return to Moscow before completing my PPL because I didn’t have any possibility to stay here after the 1st of July. It’s much easier to take the exam right after finishing the course because of the fresh skills, and I…

  • Completing Flight Training: Overcoming Weather Challenges

    Summer is approaching, which means thunderstorms will be on the horizon. I need two more hours to complete my flight training, and today those hours are going to fly by. As I arrived at the aerodrome, I noticed a dark cloud accompanied by thunder. I have to be back in Moscow soon, and extending my…

  • Weathering the Skies: A Welcome Change from Bumpy Rides

    When I used to fly short cross-countries, it was a bumpy ride. After takeoff, I would climb through a rollercoaster of turbulence, turn to the desired course, and try to maintain straight and level flight while constantly adjusting the trim and RPM. Suddenly, the VSI would show +5, so I would correct and trim, only…

  • Finding the Silver Lining: Perfect Weather for Practice Landings

    Today, the weather is gloomy with wet, cold, and misty precipitation. In fact, it even snowed yesterday! The heavy gray clouds create a dark and dull atmosphere. However, there is an advantage: there is absolutely no wind. The ceiling is higher than pattern altitude, making it the perfect weather for practicing landings. I am starting…

  • Navigating the Beauty and Danger of Clouds

    Navigating the Beauty and Danger of Clouds

    Today’s flight was especially beautiful. Previously, the sky was clear with no clouds in sight. On a sunny day, everything appears blue and homogeneous. However, today is totally different; one can see clouds of various sizes and shapes. Initially, it can be a little bit scary, as these cute, fluffy, and innocuous things are very…