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JEFlying solo. Into a blizzard. In a jet ✈️
I won’t pretend this flight was completely calm or that there wasn’t some adrenaline pumping. I knew there was going to be significant weather, low visibility, winds gusting into the 40’s, blowing snow, and low ceilings on this flight.
I also knew I trained for this - and that the remarkably capable airplane I was flying was more than ready to handle it. Also, I had a contingency plan in case I couldn’t get in because of the weather.
I flew our Cessna Citation V business jet single-pilot into weather conditions that developed into a blizzard. I had the ceilings and visibility to do the approach - barely at 3000 RVR, about 3/4 of a mile visibility, meaning you see the runway just seconds before you touchdown. The weather was real. The margins were real. And more importantly, there was no one else in the airplane but me.
I’d seen conditions like this before - in other airplanes with other pilots beside me and in simulators. But this time, every decision was mine alone.
I didn’t necessarily feel fearless, but I felt prepared and confident in my training and abilities. In a strange way, it felt familiar and I felt ready. And then came the test: At about 3/4 of a mile from the airport on the approach, the snowy runway came into sight and I landed with a very strong crosswind and used all the braking and thrust reversers that I could. Safely landed.
You don’t survive moments like this by chance. You do it by preparation and the right attitude.
This wasn’t luck.
This was reps and facing the storm. To show yourself you’re limitless ✨
#airplanes #aviator #pilot #limitless #challenge
@jetgirlstephanie
