Every now and then, actually, every 6 months, we pilots have to go
through recurrent training. This is really a time for us to make
sure that we haven't let the autopilot degrade our flying skills to the
point that we aren't proficient. So, I have to wear this funky
view limiting device that restricts my vision to inside the cockpit
only, simulating that we are flying around in the clowds, when really
the visibility is unrestricted. I brought along Chad, a great
friend, instructor, and corporate pilot to keep an eye out for traffic
(other airplanes) and give me some helpful tips. I had to shoot 6
approaches. You do an "approach" when there are clowds a few
hundred feet above the runway and you can't see outside of the airplane
to find the runway, so you have to use special instruments to get you
lined up with and down to the runway safely. Remember, you can't
see out of the airplane. Probably the greatest thrill most of the
world will never experience is taking off when the clowds are so low
you fell like you can touch them, climbing to where you are above the
clowds and there is brilliat blue sky, decending back down into the
soup (clowds), flying an approach to a runway, and breaking out of the
clowds 200-300 feet above the runway and landing. It is truly
amazing!! Jes came along to document the event.
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