Vacation time
Turn your next getaway into an adventure
Exercise your hard-earned pilot certificate and experience the freedom of general aviation by flying yourself to your vacation destination. With proper planning, you can minimize stresses to keep the flight exhilarating and rewarding.
If you plan to rent an aircraft, check with the flight school or fixed-base operator about any policies regarding extended rental time periods.
Plan to fly when your area and the destination have the best weather. If you fly to the beach during hot, humid conditions or to an area at a higher elevation, account for changes in aircraft performance and consider seeking training ahead of time with an instructor to simulate decreased takeoff and climb performance.
Begin checking the weather well in advance to plan your route. The farther the destination, the easier you can make larger deviations around weather without significantly affecting your time en route. For example, if you are flying south, you can deviate east or west of a weather system for more favorable conditions. Research multiple airports along the route for fuel availability, runway orientation if high winds are a concern, restaurants on the field, or courtesy car availability because you might need to select airports other than your planned stops for various reasons such as weather, mechanical problems, or bathroom breaks.
Pack light. Consider cutting the amount of clothes you pack in half and wash them during the trip. Limit other things to the essentials, not the, “Well, I might want this” items. You’ll have more room for souvenirs.
Be flexible and remove external pressures that could cause get-there-itis. Instead of reserving housing for set dates, plan for flexible arrival and departure days. Traveling a day or two before or after your planned dates could make a difference when weather starts to prove problematic. If the dates must be set, plan a backup such as driving or taking the airlines. Also, remember that the flight school or FBO would rather you be safe and return the aircraft a day or so later rather than risking flying in unsafe conditions. Just call ahead to explain the situation. The same goes for requesting extra time off from work.
Vacations are meant to be a time of rejuvenation, so set yourself up right for a smooth flight with proper preflight planning and stress mitigating options.
Alyssa J. Cobb is a CFI and the former senior director of digital media for AOPA.
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