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forecasts. In fact, a MOS forecast beyond 72 hours isn’t much better than using climatology averages. Finally, MOS is not good at predicting extreme conditions. All that said, MOS is best used for tracking trends.
Once you’ve gathered all the pertinent weather information, consider these questions:
1) Where are the fronts moving relative to your departure,
route and destination?
2) Where are the cloud tops? If you can get on top, will
you be able to stay on top?
3) What are the cloud bases along your entire route?
4) Where is the warm air?
5) Are the surface winds within my personal minimums?
6) When is sunrise and sunset? Short winter days may mean
some flights may push into darkness, which brings its
own hazards. (You’re night current, yes?)
7) What are the runway surface conditions like? Pick up the phone and call the destination FBO who has eyes outside.
8) Is every system on your aircraft operational, such as prop heat, pitot heat, windshield defroster, anti-ice systems,
lights, etc.? Check functionality prior to launching.
9) Do I have plenty of fuel? Plan conservatively, especially
in winter when winds can be stronger than forecast.
10) What’s your out? Regardless of your experience, recent IFR time and equipment, never leave yourself without an out. What if conditions rapidly deteriorate? What if
you have an unexpected mechanical issue? Always plan out your alternate courses of action, even if it means you return to better weather conditions behind you.
For more great information on icing and cold weather ops, check out AOPA’s excellent content: www.aopa.org/ Pilot-Resources/Air-Safety-Institute/Safety-Spotlights/ Icing-and-Cold-Weather-Ops.
Tribute to My Friend Kevin Dingman
If you are a longtime Twin & Turbine reader, you most likely have enjoyed reading “From the Flight Deck,” one of the longest-running columns to be continually published in any monthly aviation magazine. Kevin Dingman has served up wit, sage advice and a clever turn of phrase to the T&T family for more than a decade.
In the summer of 2010, as the Twin & Turbine editor- in-chief, I received an email from a reader detailing his harrowing experience of an MD-80 engine failure during takeoff from Miami International. Intrigued, I called him, and after a short conversation, I insisted he write an article about it as there were several great lessons he imparted. I also quickly caught onto his hilariously dry sense of humor and how he used it effectively in his storytelling.
Kevin at first demurred, saying he wasn’t a professional writer, but eventually he agreed to give it a go. That article became the genesis for a regular column. Since then, I don’t believe Kevin has ever missed a deadline.
Yingling
November 2021 / TWIN & TURBINE • 5