Air Facts

MAY 28, 2025

I logged more than 1,200 hours in a variety of airplanes and started flying regularly again. An approaching system threatened to bring widespread low ceilings, embedded thunderstorms, and wind shear across much of the southern U.S. I had an instrument rating, an equipped airplane, and enough hours to make me feel capable.

Wind Shear 72

Wind Shear Pilot Weather Ceiling 72

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 8, 2025

Dawn had broken bright and clear, and while icing , ceiling, and visibility had been my preoccupationrightfully so, given our arrival into Portlandthe actual threat of the day was wind. As we walked from the wharf to breakfast, I saw that peak wind gusts were tickling the 40-knot mark. It doesnt have any limits for wind.

Crosswind 96

Crosswind Wind Shear Knot Airplanes 96

Vintage Aviation News

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

With carrier aviation still in its infancy, airships could fly further than many airplanes of the day and remain in the air for days on end without the need to land to refuel and replenish their supplies. While flying high over West Texas, the sun heated and expanded the helium lifting gas, forcing the Macon to rise up.

Lift 56

Lift Tail Stability Wind Shear 56

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 2, 2024

While instructors idly watch, airplanes go off the runway, landings become too harsh, structure gets overstressed, and tolerances are exceeded. No flying in winds exceeding 10 knots, no chance of obscuring precipitation, no use of runways shorter than 5,000 feet, no risk of encountering darkness or lowering ceilings.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Crosswind Ceiling 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 2, 2024

While instructors idly watch, airplanes go off the runway, landings become too harsh, structure gets overstressed, and tolerances are exceeded. No flying in winds exceeding 10 knots, no chance of obscuring precipitation, no use of runways shorter than 5,000 feet, no risk of encountering darkness or lowering ceilings.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Crosswind Ceiling 52

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

Cloud ceilings below 1,500 feet or cumulonimbus clouds can trigger a SPECI. A sudden wind shift, a 10-knot or greater speed increase, a 45-degree or more direction change, or gusts exceeding limits may also cause a SPECI. Thunderstorms can also bring wind shear and lightning.

Altimeter 52

Altimeter Weather Wind Shear Runway 52

Photographic Logbook

APRIL 19, 2024

I expected to manage some cloud layers during the New York portion of the flight, but the forecast called for a high ceiling at Northeast Philadelphia Airport. hours I had already put on the airplane since the repair increased my confidence that the issue was suitably managed. Famous last words.) Wilkes-Barre Departure, Air Force One."

Approach 77

Approach Wind Shear Runway VOR 77