Memphis to Baton Rouge, LA

[robert7467]

I am trying to get back in the saddle, and overcome fear of weather. Weather looks good, in my new humble opinion, but I need some serious advice. Leave tomorrow morning, return Sunday or Monday. What are your thoughts. I will not fly over a layer of clouds.

[robert7467]

Actually looks ok from cell phone, I will evaluate at home. But I still need plenty of feedback, so I can look and compare notes.

[johnggreen]

Robert,

 

You didn't give us much to go on, but if you live in Memphis, you have a terrific resource at your finger tips.

 

Dr. Morris Ray, a retired neurologist, heads up training at Dewitt Spain Airport.  There is simply none better or more open to help.  Go to Dr. Ray and let him get you up to speed.  I'm sure he would be happy to look over your shoulder during flight planning and weather evaluation.  You might ante up for a full scale oral review of private pilot topics.  The cost will be reasonable and the rewards priceless.

 

Jgreen

[johnggreen]

And, if you are looking for a short cross country "with a purpose" next week the IAC will be hosting an aerobatic contest here at the Grenada airport.  You might even make it an overnighter as we have lots of inexpensive motel rooms and somebody will be happy to give you a lift to and from the motel to the airport.  The contestants will start arriving Monday for practice, but I'm not sure of the actual days of competition.

 

If you have an RV or just a camper, Grenada Lake is only two miles away with lots of camp/RV sites, really nice facilities and Dogwoods Golf Course over on the south side of the Lake.

 

Jgreen

[Rwsavory]

I would second John's recommendation to talk to Dr. Ray and get to know the folks at Downtown Aviation.  He gave me my BFR last fall, and I obtained some recurrent IFR training from them recently.  Very friendly, and they will train you in your own plane at both DeWitt Spain and OLV.

 

We are going to St. Louis Saturday morning and returning on Monday.  The weather looks good Saturday, but there is the possibility of Tstorms Sunday and Monday in Memphis.  Baton Rouge looks good through Monday.  I think if you stay strictly visual, use flight following and keep a close watch on the weather you should be good.  Keep your schedule flexible and leave your options open.  

 

Here's a good resource that I use in trip planning:  http://graphical.weather.gov/

[robert7467]

Dr. Ray is awesome, he is going to teach me aerobatics/unusual attitude recovery. I am going to call a briefer tonight, but just wanted some additional input. I don't mind flying a xc in clear weather, but nothing less than that.

[robert7467]

I have not called briefer yet, but are the storms going to come in am or pm Sunday? Like I said, I need clear weather, unless the ceilings are high. But I am flexible for a Sunday or Monday return.

[Rwsavory]

I have not called briefer yet, but are the storms going to come in am or pm Sunday? Like I said, I need clear weather, unless the ceilings are high. But I am flexible for a Sunday or Monday return.

The current forecast is for isolated thunderstorms here.  A briefer would have a better read on timing, sky conditions, coverage, etc.

[robert7467]

Spoke with briefer, no profs for Sunday. And for Saturday we are looking at TN VFR clouds at 25,000.

MS vfr 10am unlimited vis. Few at 3000

LA marginal until 10 am and vfr after. Ceiling scattered at 3000 30% cloud cover.

Sunday... No progs. But thunderstorms moving in Sunday or Monday, even though accuweather says clear...

So even with the word "thunderstorm" I am going to say no go. Unless you guys see something I don't see and I can verify it.

[robert7467]

Mean progs for Sunday

[robert7467]

FYI accuweather is showing good for my " window" sunday. But still need expert opinions.

[Rwsavory]

I never second guess a "no-go" decision.  Flying is supposed to be fun.

[jnisley]

I don't think any briefer can effectively forecast what part of the day storms will pass through an area three days in advance.

FYI: The TAF for KBTR is MVFR until 1600 tomorrow.

I would suggest day trips for now until you gain more experience, unless you can wait out the return trip,.

Once upon at time, before I had my IFR rating I spent three days in Virginia waiting on good weather, three hours to fly down (C172) three days to get home:(

[robert7467]

But accuweather shows no thunderstorms. This is where I need expertise

[robert7467]

Is the 1600z or cst 11am?

[robert7467]

Well guys I am going to call it a no go. Mvfr that turns turns into vfr so close to the arrival time is a no go. Thank you for input!

[FlyDave]

My clairvoyance tells me that the storms will start at exactly 13:13:13 on Sunday and end exactly at 02:13:13 Monday. Don't ask me if this is local or zulu time because my alter ego has not made an indication yet. Also, don't let the recurring 13's make you nervous. These are the times that a fly-by would not be recommended unless you can maintain at least 1.67" of airframe icing as well as ensure that your fuel injectors don't ice up. These kinds of problems make most people nervous but because I learned to fly with a kick-ass guy (he flew in WW1 and signed Orville Wright off to go solo in the Wright Flyer) I should be OK. Don't worry about me. I think I have the all the tools to make it happen and at least squeak out of the other side without damaging something. I'll be taking my hermaphroditic dog with me so I hope to have some company. I love my dog and don't want to put him/her in danger so I hope my posts here on MooneySpace make everyone comfortable with my piloting skills. But my next 27,354 posts here on MooneySpace should flesh out a lot of the issues I encounter on my long journey to becoming the first normally aspirated pilot to successfully survive while breathing pure helium at FL 293.34 while drinking a nice hot cup of coffee and petting my puppy.

 

Best of luck to me.....I love you all!

[robert7467]

Dave I love your sense of humor.

[Bill_Carter]

I am not exactly sure it was humor.

[FlyDave]

I am not exactly sure it was humor.

+1

[Bill_Carter]

Dr. Ray is awesome, he is going to teach me aerobatics/unusual attitude recovery. I am going to call a briefer tonight, but just wanted some additional input. I don't mind flying a xc in clear weather, but nothing less than that.

Robert, it isn't aerobatics and unusual attitude recovery you need. No one here is doubting you can physically fly a plane. It is Risk Management/Decision Making that you are needing. I don't have a lot of hours in the air, this is true. But common sense doesn't come from lots of hours in the air. Until you figure that out, stick with a competent instructor or stay on the ground. Better you make fertilizer than become it.

[robert7467]

Bill, I really don't want this post to end up like the last. Wx brief gave me a go, but my new personal minimums told me no go. I would like others input of interpreting the weather, but for me it's a no go.

[robert7467]

I need additional training, and I know it. I will obtain additional training. And the post where it says but accuweather says it looks good, it wasn't to challenge the last post, it was after I typed it, he already commented, before I saw it and hit send.

[robert7467]

But anyways all, have a wonderful, blessed weekend. I will be driving to Baton Rouge this weekend. Even though I am driving, I still welcome all input regarding this weekends weather. 20 brains are better than 1.

[robert7467]

And, if you are looking for a short cross country "with a purpose" next week the IAC will be hosting an aerobatic contest here at the Grenada airport.  You might even make it an overnighter as we have lots of inexpensive motel rooms and somebody will be happy to give you a lift to and from the motel to the airport.  The contestants will start arriving Monday for practice, but I'm not sure of the actual days of competition.

 

If you have an RV or just a camper, Grenada Lake is only two miles away with lots of camp/RV sites, really nice facilities and Dogwoods Golf Course over on the south side of the Lake.

 

Jgreen

Grenada is real close, when is the event? I would love to come out and meet you guys.