What’s your standard operating procedure for flying to your home airport with thunderstorms approaching? One method is to wait at the departure airport until all is clear, then proceed. Another is to fly as close as possible to the action and land short to let things settle down before the final leg.
I’ve tried both. On this particular day, it was a hybrid solution. I was headed home from a CJP Safety Committee meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona (KSDL), and I had some helpful experience in the right seat – CEO of FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training, Brian Moore.
The season’s first major cold front had raced through Arizona the day before. As my buddies departed in their various Citations, Brian and I were left behind to study the angry weather approaching the Dallas area.
My plan was to wait at the Jet Aviation FBO until the line of thunderstorms moving into DFW was close enough to permit a departure from Scottsdale. At DFW, the airlines were holding or diverting all day, but I had the option to hold in the comfortable pilot’s lounge.
Finally, after 3 hours, the forecast and my risk tolerance looked acceptable. As we taxied out to Runway 21, the Addison (KADS) weather was not so great.
29012G26 2SM-TSRA BKN019CB BKN023 OVC040 21/18 A2965
We were delayed for 15 minutes getting a takeoff clearance in bright, sunny Arizona skies. A delay that proved very fortunate.
En route in light to moderate turbulence at FL 390, it was obvious the weather was unsteady. Initially, we faced a 25-knot headwind, then an increasing tailwind. Temperatures ranged from ISA -1 to +10. Midway through the 2.5-hour flight the winds were 213 at 145 knots.
Our plan was to make an approach into the Dallas area and if unable to land at home base, divert to Denton (KDTO), where the front had passed.
As seen in the picture, taken on the climb out of SDL, it was going to be close. Each update of the NEXRAD depiction indicated a very slow eastward movement of the nasty weather, which later caused 19 tornadoes in three states. Then, an attention-getting note on the KDAL special weather observation as we began the descent:
“Note, hail less than one-quarter inch.”
The winds shifted from 180 at 26 knots to 310 at 32 knots as the front crossed the airport. Addison is located just a few miles north of DAL. Would the passing front clear the thunderstorms out before we landed?
On arrival, we monitored the tower and ATIS for changes. On the frequency, we heard, “Regional approach, November 1234, with you declaring minimum fuel.” A lot of airplanes were finally released from holding.
Under the overcast, in clear twilight skies, it looked like the taxi hold at Scottsdale was just long enough to allow the heavy rain to clear. On a visual approach to Runway 34 at Addison, the winds were 300 at 28 knots.
“Caution, pilots reported gain of 10 knots at 100 feet for Runway 34,” said the tower. I made a fairly nice landing on a wet runway.
Just a few minutes made all the difference. Sometimes waiting is the best choice.
Fly safe.
