sj
Staff member
Northwest Arkansas
NOTE: THE AUTHOR OF THIS POST DOES NOT CONDONE OR recommend SCUD RUNNING FOR ANYONE IN ANY SITUATION.
I had to run Dana down to Joplin today for a family matter, and I had to be back in Kansas City, then run back down to Joplin to pick her up. Joplin is 120NM from KC so 480 NM in the cub seemed like a LONG TIME! Instead, we zipped down at 140kts in a piper arrow I own part of.
We flew VFR, but when we got to Joplin the "scattered 1500" layer turned into a 1000ft overcast and 3sm vis. I must admit, I have gotten comfortable in these conditions at 80mph in the supercub, but at 165 mph it is a a whole different deal - and one I can't recommend to anybody.
I don't think scud running is a good idea, but I do do it in the supercub - frequently. At 65 - 80mph you have a lot of time to make decisions and things do not close on you as quickly. Yes, it is still dangerous, and should only be done if you really know the towers / area that you are flying in.
One the way home, I filed IFR, punched over the layer, and had a comfortable flight. I would not have felt the need to do it in the supercub, but frankly, I felt like I was going too fast for the marginal VFR visibility.
It has caused me to wonder if the blanket VFR of "1 mile clear of clouds" should really be based more on the speed of your equipment?
sj
I had to run Dana down to Joplin today for a family matter, and I had to be back in Kansas City, then run back down to Joplin to pick her up. Joplin is 120NM from KC so 480 NM in the cub seemed like a LONG TIME! Instead, we zipped down at 140kts in a piper arrow I own part of.
We flew VFR, but when we got to Joplin the "scattered 1500" layer turned into a 1000ft overcast and 3sm vis. I must admit, I have gotten comfortable in these conditions at 80mph in the supercub, but at 165 mph it is a a whole different deal - and one I can't recommend to anybody.
I don't think scud running is a good idea, but I do do it in the supercub - frequently. At 65 - 80mph you have a lot of time to make decisions and things do not close on you as quickly. Yes, it is still dangerous, and should only be done if you really know the towers / area that you are flying in.
One the way home, I filed IFR, punched over the layer, and had a comfortable flight. I would not have felt the need to do it in the supercub, but frankly, I felt like I was going too fast for the marginal VFR visibility.
It has caused me to wonder if the blanket VFR of "1 mile clear of clouds" should really be based more on the speed of your equipment?
sj