Journeymen

As a pilot, I know that many challenges can get in the way of flying. For example, determining safe flying weather is one of the biggest challenges. I have experienced this repeatedly, with lessons being canceled due to sudden changes in weather conditions or prolonged delays. When there are long weeks without flying, we can become discouraged and wonder what the point is. But if there is one thing I have learned from these long waits, it is the value of patience.

California weather was always unpredictable. Living on the coast, I had to deal with advection fog—a fast-moving, warm, moist air mass that travels over a cold surface, causing total loss of visibility. This was the major obstacle that often prevented flights, sometimes grounding us for weeks. Another significant weather phenomenon that disrupted flight lessons was the Santa Ana Winds. A major contributor to California wildfires, these winds can reach speeds of up to 80 mph. As a pilot flying a small Cessna, encountering such winds could be disastrous. Winds in California are a familiar challenge, so learning to fly in crosswinds became essential. I remember taking off and making a left crosswind turn in the traffic pattern. As soon as we reached a certain altitude—around 800 feet above the ground—the Cessna would roll left without any manual input. Depending on the strength of the winds that day, the roll would vary in intensity. But trying to fight the wind is never a wise idea. We must practice our reactions to wind shear, as it is a silent killer.

Now that I fly in Utah, I face a different challenge: heavy snowfall and winter weather. This month, I have flown only twice—maybe even just once—on my own. Yesterday was finally the first time in weeks that I could fly, even though it lasted less than an hour. As we completed one circuit around the traffic pattern, rain began to fall, and we immediately grounded ourselves. But I must admit, being up there felt like a breath of fresh air.

This process can be discouraging and make you question everything you are doing to become a pilot. However, the wait is what strengthens us as aviators. If we develop determination and perseverance, we will only improve. The weather can’t ground us forever when the need to be in the sky is in our bones. Don’t give up—keep going.