The Highs and Lows of Spring Weather in the Northwest
Correcting for Wind at 17,000 Feet!
Here's Eric flying along at 17,000 with a nice 69 KT cross-wind. Note the aircraft's heading v. the actual ground track.
Correcting for Wind.

Checking an AWOS, METAR or ATIS report for wind direction and speed on the surface doesn't give you the whole weather picture. Winds aloft forecasts can tell a very different story of what the air is doing just a few hundred or a few thousand feet above the surface.
 
The NWS National Centers for Environmental Prediction produces scheduled Wind and Temperature Aloft Forecasts (FB) four (4) times daily for specified locations in the Continental United States. LINK HERE for WINDS ALOFT FORECAST.
Interpreting the coding is simple:
Example: 1312+05
The wind direction is from 130 degree  (TRUE not Magnetic) i.e. -southeast, the wind speed is 12 knots and the temperature is 5 degrees Celsius.
Example: 9900+10 
Wind light and variable, temperature +10 degrees Celsius.
Forecast wind speeds of 100 through 199 knots.
Example: 7735-07
The wind direction is from 270 degrees (i.e. west), the wind speed is 135 knots and the temperature is minus 7 degrees Celsius. [Subtract 50 from 77 and add 100 to 35]
Forecast wind speeds of 200 knots or greater are indicated as a forecast speed of 199
knots. Example 7799, is decoded as 270 degrees at 199 knots or greater.

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." Henry Ford

There are two excellent (short) video training courses produced by the National Weather service specifically for pilots. One video covers weather theory, the other is on understanding weather forecasts. Best viewed on desk top or lap top computer. (Requires Adobe Flash, for iPad users we suggest the Browser "Photon" found in the App store).
Here are the links to each course:









FOG or BR (MIST)?
So what's the difference between fog and mist? Fog "FG" is only reported when the visibility is less than five-eights of a mile.

With visibility five-eights or greater mist "BR" designates the phenomena. In METAR mist refers to a restriction to visibility, not precipitation its generic definition. Allegedly the distinction between fog and mist came about because the British didn't consider it fog unless you could "cut it with a knife." Source FAA. Why five-eights of a mile, that's equivalent to 1000 meters.

TANGO, SIERRA, ZULU . . .
Theses three AIRMETS are hazardous weather advisories (except convective) for VFR pilots and light aircraft (possibly others).
Graphical AIRMETS (G−AIRMETs) are snap shots at discrete time intervals no more than 3-hours apart. G−AIRMETs provide a higher forecast resolution than text AIRMET products. LINK: AIM Chapter 7 

Airmet components include instrument meteorological conditions (covered by airmet Sierra), turbulence (airmet Tango) and icing (airmet Zulu). The icing forecast also includes forecast freezing levels-of interest to VFR pilots because they must avoid potentially dangerous conditions such as freezing rain. LINK READ MORE ...
VFR Cross-Country Flight Planning.

How long has it been since you planned a VFR cross-country flight? Maybe never if you're just starting your pilot training or maybe not in a very long time if you're a pilot who sticks to your tried and true, favorite go-to places along I-5 and the Willamette Valley.

For our club members benefit we have purchased a library of Real World VFR cross-country flight training videos. Follow along with a seasoned pilot and CFI as they go from beginning to end of planning and executing VFR cross-country flights. Towered, non-towered, Class Bravo, and Night . . .each one begins with a thorough briefing then they take you out on the real flight. Things happen, just like they always do! We believe this is one of the best sets of VFR flight planning and real world flight videos we have seen.LINK to Real World Videos folder here. (Google Login may be required)
Club News and Updates
Creswell Airport AWOS update . . .still waiting.

New Members and Member Updates  


Dr. Charkri Panjala
Private pilot-in-training

Charkri says he had two childhood goals. 1. Become a doctor and 2. Become a pilot. When you have a dream and you believe in yourself anything is possible!
Bill Johnson
Private pilot (SEL).
Bill is coming back to aviation after a long, "life got in the way" break. When not reviving his aviation brain cells, Bill works as a nurse.
Dr. Jon Ekstrom,
Private pilot-in-training.

Jon began his private pilot studies using the Cessna training course several months before arriving here. Now he's patiently waiting for our lovely Spring-time weather to improve so he can actually go flying.
Dr. John Hunts
Private pilot-in-training.
John's positive attitude more than makes up for his limited available personal time for pilot training. Even so, he is well on his way through Stage I.
Dr. Patrick Salisbury Private pilot (SEL), Instrument rated.

Patrick is returning to flying after a lapse of several years. Patrick's dad was a pilot for TWA and taught him to fly!
Ken Lynch Passes Sport Pilot Check Ride.

Ken, who is a full-time U of O student, took his first flight lesson here on June 29, 2015 and passed his Sport Pilot Certificate on March 3, 2016.
Congratulations Ken!!


Need a scrumptious cake for a special occasion?
You've tasted John's amazing cakes at our safety meetings . . . now here's how to contact John to order one for your own special occasions. 
John De Mers
360-359-5935
 john@skycakes.net 

For Sale: Decorative Prop with Clock 
Perfect for your office or home! Call TakeWING for more information.  
TakeWING Aviation Club | Creswell Airport | 541-895-5935 | Email | TakeWINGInc.com
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