Wheniwrite about using my Beechcraft Bonanza for transportation, I frequently get questions from members asking how to best plan for weather contingencies when flying a single-engine piston airplane. Good question. I wish there was a single, simple answer.My first question to myself when considering a trip where weather is a factor is about the capabilities of the airplane and myself. Is this the sort of weather situation that can be handled in a single-engine piston airplane? Let's face it, while we like to crow about the utility of flying ourselves, there are limits, especially when flying airplanes like mine. Without even turbocharging to get into the flight levels, no ice protection except pitot heat, and no pressurization, my options are limited. No airplane is immune to weather, but with a turboprop, pressurization, and icing protection-and maybe even airborne radar-you can get through more situations than those of us who fly more pedestrian machines.
展开▼
