Page 29 - February 2016

become miserable for hapless east coast aviators. If it continues on a northeast track from Ohio, however, it will ruin the day for pilots in Pennsylvania, New England and southeast Canada, but not be as disruptive as a full blown nor’easter. So, just for argument’s sake, we’ll assume it becomes a nor’easter.In a nor’easter, operations all along the east coast are plagued by ATC delays that add hours to our Time- En Route calculations and force wholesale diversions to alternates. If the storm tracks offshore, heavy snow and high winds are the result for the coastal areas. An inland track inundates the Appalachian chain with very deep snow but it becomes mostly a rain and wind event for the coastal areas, albeit with turbulence and ice warnings.Nor’easter or not, if the Great Lakes icemaker is in full swing, a pilot – maybe several – will have to declare an emergency due to an ice- covered airplane flying somewhere over Pennsylvania, West Virginia or the New England states.Behind the departing storm, the morning deejays announce the temperature toll: Minneapolis, -21, Chicago, -9, Louisville, +3, Atlanta, +14. Winter has the people in its grip and the grip seems to be extremely tight.Overhead, the stars shine with a clarity never seen in the summertime. The winds howl and then begin to diminish. A full moon lights up a snow covered landscape and peop•le throw another log on the fire and count the days until spring. The storm has passed. Now, if we could only say the same for winter. T&TTurbines, Inc. Third Page 4/C AdRocky Mountain Propellers Inc. Sixth Page4/C AdJohn Loughmiller is a freelance writer, commercial pilot and CFIIMEI-A. He retired from the business world a few years back and is now living the dream as a contract pilot flying various piston and turboprop twins.FEBRUARY 2016TWIN & TURBINE • 27