“Good afternoon, Fort Worth Center. November nine two one x-ray tango is with you, flight level four one zero and smooth.”
Larry King and I were returning to Dallas in his Citation M2 on a late April afternoon from Heber City, Utah. We departed Dallas at 0730 that same day for a quick out and back. The skies were severe clear on the leg to Heber City and the forecast for our return was identical. A quick review of the weather before our takeoff from Utah confirmed it.
“X-ray tango, there is an extensive line of weather, with moderate to extreme precipitation at your twelve o’clock and one hundred miles, extending north and south. Say intentions.”
Only moments prior, we had extended the range on the Garmin displays and saw something totally unexpected. A line of thunderstorms with tops to FL 430.
“Where did this come from,” said Larry. “No idea, I shot back. It wasn’t even on the map when we departed,” I said. We both sat up a little straighter in our seats and began to discuss the situation.
“Center, there appears to be a gap between two cells that we can get through,” I transmitted.
“You are cleared to deviate south, but no one has gotten through what I am showing along your filed route,” came the reply. After that comment, Larry and I became fully engaged in the discussion.
Using the G3000 animated Nexrad feature, we could see the cells moving slowly at 15 knots from south to north. We both agreed there was a gap in excess of the 20-mile recommended avoidance distance. But the controller’s comment concerned us.
What followed was a twenty-minute discussion. We talked about the possibility of hail from the overhang of the southerly cell and general movement of the line. About our lack of fuel reserves for a 150-mile deviation around the weather. And the possibility that the two cells could merge or reduce our safety margin distance.
The on-board radar and Nexrad were continuously consulted, but we found that our two sets of “Mark V eyeballs” were equally valuable. It was incredibly beneficial to have two pilots in the cockpit and also to agree that we were comfortable with our plan.
As we approached the line, we made a series of small turns to stay between cells.
“X-ray tango, maintain present heading for traffic.” The controller had just thrown a wrench into our plan. He had us headed for the cell on our right. We quickly negotiated a lower altitude and continued threading the needle.
An airliner passed by to our right. “Well, at least someone else has the same idea,” I said.
After what seemed like an eternity, we passed through the line with a completely smooth ride. Looking back over our shoulders, the view from the other side was totally opaque, and it was impossible to see the cells.
“Nice job of crew resource management,” I said.
Larry just smiled.
Fly safe.
