Dodging The Cell



08Romeo's new digs!

It was time to head home and I wanted to make sure I didn't have to deal with the potential thunder storms and rain in the forecast for late this afternoon.  Once the wx cleared at KILG, it was sitting overcast under 700 until 1451Z. I bid farewell to my lovely Bride and her friend Jo Anne and I headed to the airport.

METAR KILG 011451Z 22006KT 10SM BKN011 OVC075 26/23 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP169 T02610233 55000=
METAR KILG 011351Z 23004KT 10SM OVC007 25/23 A3003 RMK AO2 CIG 005V010 SLP169 T02500233=
SPECI KILG 011335Z 00000KT 10SM OVC006 24/23 A3003 RMK AO2 CIG 003V009 T02440233=
METAR KILG 011251Z 22004KT 7SM OVC002 24/23 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP169 T02390233

I had filed for the ride but after giving the sky the visual I did not want to climb through the growing clouds to the north west. I went about my business getting 08Romeo loaded and the airport buggy parked in the hangar for next weeks return trip. I scanned the sky once again and confirmed what I saw with XM wx on my 496.

I called clear prop and taxied for runway two zero.  Winds were picking up as a cell was moving through the area west to east.  My plan, since I didn't pick up my clearance was to climb to 2.5, head west and end around what was left of the cell and then pick up my IFR clearance with Dover.

terrible picture once in the air,  it was bumpy

I launched and immediately saw the rain producing cell passing west to east just north of the RT90 bridge. I continued pointing west north west and gave it plenty of space.  Jo said she saw lightning out over the shore line, I immediately changed to a due west heading to add miles of separation.

As you can see by the photo, under or through that cell was not the place for any aircraft to be. The rest of the ride was fine, a few bumps along the way as I worked my way north between 2.5 and 3,000.

Traffic was heavy along SR1 at the RT113 interchange and we were both happy to be riding above all that mess. Jo snapped off a shot just north of RT 113. I made a nice landing back at New Garden, it was good to be on the ground.

As I taxied in there was two people, taking pictures,  with their backs to me. I gave 08Romeo a push on the throttle and they both turned around, I motioned to move aside to clear the taxiway and proceeded past them. What is wrong with people? Does the potential for slice and dice not make them want to stand clear of operations...sigh. I guess there is no fixing stupid.