I Told ATC "NO" We're Diverting!

[@joes8476]

I have 5000 military flight hours and still picked up a few nuggets of wisdom form this very professional video. Would have loved to have had access to these type videos back in the day when I was just starting out. For all you newbies, take advantage of all this stuff! It'll make you better, safer, and you'll have more fun!

[@photo200]

I'm a pre-newbie, planning to start training this summer. These videos are amazing, and I found them by surprise. I began searching the web for things like how to find a CFI in my area and these videos started popping up as well. It's amazing how much material is out there, and once I start training, I'm sure the ability to pick up tips from many different sources will be valuable.

[@n0rg]

I like how your second in command is so vigilant.

[@hiscifi2986]

I would have told him to keep quiet and stop touching the Gizmos...

[@Smoker140]

Im a 41 y/o student Pilot that watches all your videos and what an amazing help you’ve been. To watch you practice what you practice what you preach is such an awesome thing to witness. Amazing video, glad you’re safe and thank you. God bless.

[@michaelj.mcmurray540]

Loved seeing your aeronautical decision making in action. Being able to use your expertise to assist with my own decisions is the reason I love MzeroA. Thanks for all you do.

[@gregsscubavids5128]

Who needs caffeine when you watch one like this? Heart rate’s still elevated and gut tightened. Best vid of real-world flying I remember. Thanks. And remember, a cautious pilot gets to fly another day.

[@jenniferjohnson3572]

I’m watching your heavy workload, with help and thinking about how much more workload there would be without autopilot.. a ton of real world flying scenarios happening. Feeling the pressure while watching..

[@chuckcampbell3927]

Jason, Please don't apologize for the length of this video. This was probably the best video that you have made and probably the best video of real world flying (especially in South Florida) ever seen on KZbin. Your wife got one of the best instructional flights dealing with fast-changing weather that she could ever get. Appreciate the way you reinforced your feelings to her about shooting the gap. To me it's like being at the casino and you're on a winning streak and you think you can't lose; That's what shooting the gap and poking your nose in on the back side of a system is like; You'll do it until you get your nose bloody Great video Jason. You truly are one of the best teachers in the business today. GOD Bless 📖🛐✈️

[@HittokiriBatosai]

Seriously. I thought I wouldn't watch the whole thing when I hit play but here I am at the end.

[@chuckcampbell3927]

@@HittokiriBatosai 🛫📖🛬 Not all videos are created equal, And this one really proved that point because it had relevant substance that everybody needs if you're going to be flying in marginal weather. GOD Bless

[@ryangoodwin5195]

As a beginner PPL (10hrs) this was great but also overwhelming with all the radio chatter, birds, and crowded airspace. I can’t wait for it all to make sense once I get further in my training.

[@hvacmike1175]

Wait till you fly in to sun and fun. Lots of aircraft all heading to the same asphalt.

[@wicked1172]

I listen to ATC on line and I bought a VHF radio from Sporty's and I use it as a scanner. I have developed an ear for the language though flying, and I keep my head in the game.

[@daffidavit]

@@wicked1172 very smart, move and very good flight training doing what you just said.

[@kyle42903]

@@daffidavit I downloaded LiveATC when I started 8 months ago and now it’s way easier to communicate and understand.

[@daffidavit]

@@kyle42903 Yes Sir. It's all about exposure to learning to understand what ATC is saying. ATC is good with pilots. They can tell when somebody is a newbie and they compensate very well. Then they speed up for the professionals. Keep listening and practicing and it will be even more fun.

[@glennwatson]

I liked Magda's thinking of picking a airport earlier in the safe zone as well, if you had less fuel definitely a very valid option.

[@MaisonHorne]

As a student pilot, I would love to see more videos like this. I do not mind the long runtime at all.

[@daffidavit]

Back in 1969 I soled about 10 days before Neil and Buzz walked on the moon. My mom had to drive me to the airport because I was too young to drive a car. When we flew cross-country, there were sectional charts folded and neatly tucked on a knee board, if we were lucky to have one. Most airplanes only had one VOR and one nav/com. So if we wanted to compute our position using a cross-fix, we had to tune in one VOR and draw a radial line from a specific VOR. Then we had to choose a different VOR that was at the best position to give us a 90 degree intercept radial. Then we had to tune in that VOR and draw a radial line outbound until both pencil lines intersected on our sectional charts. Most of the time the position we got was very good, at least a 1/2 mile in accuracy. Can you imaging trying to do that today while taking the private pilot's flight test? I wonder if I can still do it fast enough, I believe I can. You young guys have it made easy with GPS and ADSB.

[@daffidavit]

Back around 1979 while I was still flight instructing about 25 miles west of Chicago at KDPA and attending graduate (Law) school I was working as a flight instructor every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at DuPage Aviation, a flight school that no longer exists. My chief pilot, Herbert Spencer (Spence) was an ex-P-51 fighter pilot in WWII, who had to make two emergency landings. So I learned stick and rudder skills from one of the best pilots I ever met. The only other pilot I was proud to train with was Ralph Nelson out of KCDW back in the early 1970s who was a DPE and also owned a Decathlon aerobatic tailwheel airplane. He taught me how to recover from spins and how to do "snap rolls", aileron rolls and snap rolls on top of a loop. Those lessons, though few, were worth their weight in gold. I no longer fear teaching students full power on stalls in a C-152. A funny story, back around 1973 or so, a student pilot of mine was learning how to recover from power on climbing turn departure stalls. Of course, as usual most students do not apply enough right rudder in the right climbing turn to a stall. When the power on stall finally occurred, the student did not have enough right rudder to prevent the stall to "turn over the top". Thus, the climbing right turn ended up in a stall when it suddenly snapped over the top to the left and began to enter into a left spin. We were at a very high altitude in the practice area and I was well-prepared for this event to occur. What I was not ready for was when the stall occurred and the airplane snapped from a climbing right turn into a left spin entry, my student suddenly took both hands off of the control wheel and used both of his hand to suddenly grabbed my left leg with all of his strength and might. What did I do? A big smile came across my face, not because I liked other guys grabbing my leg, but because my student gave up the ghost and completely relied upon me to save his butt. Little was he aware that we were over 4000 ft agl and there was absolutely nothing to worry about. I immediately took over and recovered from an incipient spin and brought the airplane back to straight and level flight. My student (not a learner, and whoever came up with that weak term should go back and get a new M.S. degree IMHO) was an electrical engineer and likely had a higher IQ than me when it came to mathematics. But at that moment, he learned a good lesson. Later, after a long debrief, he asked me to take him up again and repeat the same lesson maneuver. After a long ground school lesson on basic stall aerodynamics, my student had the nads to demand that we go up again and confront the beast. After some practice, he no longer was afraid of power on climbing turn (departure) stalls. This was one of the most memorable flight experiences I've had in my life. He eventually obtained his PP license. I hope my "student" went on to purchase a nice airplane like a Bonanza, or a Mooney or a C-182. Flight Instructing at such a young age is a way to learn the fast track about how other people perceive things in their lives. I hope I've learned something along the way as well. You new pilots and for your future safety. Remember this, as fun as aviation is, according to John and Marth King, general aviation has a similar statistical safety record as people who ride motorcycles. So if you wish to become a pilot, you must treat aviation with much more respect than people who ride motorcycles. Please keep that in mind, it's not for the faint of heart, nor is it as dangerous as people who jump out of airplanes with parachutes just for the fun of it. You must decide how much risk you are willing to take in your life and balance it from being a boring life to one that could be exceptional. General Aviation will provide you with an exceptional life and you will fly to places and experience things others can only dream of. But there are risks to consider. You can either sit on your couch and live without fear, or you can enjoy one of the most exciting experiences life has to offer. You don't need to be a genius to pass the written and flight tests, you just need to do some very hard studies. It's your choice, sitting on the couch or flying to places like Martha's Vinyard for a Lobster Eggs Benedict breakfast after landing at Katama (1B2) on a grass runway where the airport lease must grant pilots first priority for breakfast, even before the Obama reservations. Just think of that as a privilege. You fly in and land and get to sit outside on a picnic table while President Obama and his wife must wait in line as you have legal priority before them according to the written lease by the former owner of the airport. God bless you all.

[@tangotango256]

@@daffidavit as a motcycle rider for the last 50 years I can relate to what you say ....Had so many close calls (This past Friday the 13th was no exception had to dodge an F-250 that wanted my lane) I'm an avid but serious Flight simmer and handling all the junk coming at you will tighten that gut up lol ... flown a pa28 a few years back didn't last long enough KCSG to KLGC for fuel up and return still working on my rudder skills maybe another introduction flight is in order soon maybe one a year as I'll never get my pp pushing 60 next year

[@GregHopp]

Agreed, back in 2001 when I was prepping for my checkride I was doing same. Never did it in an airplane though and I miss the paper charts. Even so, wouldn't turn in my GPS(s), ADSB, EFB, and autopilot!

[@abbyb615]

I just got my license and if your instructor is decent they will teach this to you 😂 I did this on my checkride and impressed the examiner

[@trbeme1346]

@@daffidavit Thank you for your post. I didn't know about the King's comments regarding motorcycles and aviation. I use to ride motorcycles but gave riding up 10 or 11 years ago as I just had too many close calls. In 2020 my Dad approached me and said that he had a deal for me. He had a guy who wanted to keep his plane at my Dad's private airstrip. In return I would get free flight instruction. I spoke to the boss (my Wife.... notice W is capital lol) and said I wanted to do it. I have always wanted to become a pilot but for some excuse after another excuse I just didn't do it. Fast forward to today. Every time I take off I am scared of what can happen. My wife and I have talked about this many times and we both feel that I need to live life rather than just going through life. Hope all has a great day.

[@baldesk]

These scenarios are guaranteed to happen to all GA pilots as they gain experience and start taking longer trips. What a great training video to better prepare new pilots for real world flying.

[@CSTNKTAP]

Great to see videos like this one, where things do not go how we planned and we have to put our skills in action . Great job!

[@g.willykers]

Loved the video. Very interesting and informative! My dad was a B-25 bomber pilot instructor in WW-2. He had a big ATC scanner radio in his den that he listened to a lot in his later years. He would take us down to the local airport when he knew that fighter jets would be there on maneuvers. We would sit up on the top of our car, parked at the end of the runway, as they flew over us. It was deafening loud, but very cool. 😃

[@rodos2001]

Excellent job Jason! Now that’s some real world aviation with lots of aeronautical decision making and CRM. And…add some birds just to mix it up a little. Nice one. Welcome to Tampa exec!

[@earnedwings5206]

This is real world and happens to a lot of us. Thank you for sharing as its great to see how you handled all of it.

[@lhallal1234]

Love your game plan! Makes me feel good that someone with your experience takes the SAFE way around. Like always having that extra fuel.

[@jimziemer474]

Both ways may have been safe. That said, I can’t tell from this video.

[@shirlzitting647]

@@jimziemer474 Maybe may be too late. .

[@cpy]

Great CRM. I really like how you both talked out all the options, and you flew what was safe for you.

[@timjansens3514]

Love the real world scenario. Incorporated a lot of concepts I am learning in your ground school. Thank you!

[@epiren]

Glad to see a good example of lack of "get-there-itis." Phenomenal management of all the things coming at you. I might take you up on that free ground school trial... ;-)

[@tonyharnett3169]

This is I think one of my favourite (Canadian Spelling) MzeroA vids ... thanks for sharing Jason!

[@cyndymalouf1638]

Being the daughter of a flight instructor with my own log book flying with my Dad, I enjoy your videos!!!

[@j.w.perkins6004]

In 1981, (yea, I''m old) I was going to Ellington AFB from New Orleans Navel Air Station (F-102A) when I encountered heavy rain at FL290 when I was refused a diversion. Endagered of flaming-out from flooding, I got into a very short arguement with the controller. I finally had enough of this jerk and TOLD him what what was gonna happen. I practily dared him to call me on the carpet. (asking if he wanted me to declare an emergency), which would put him on the record.. He shut his mouth after that exchsnge! You are always the commander. They are there to help you. 99.9 are great, that .01 percent will hurt ya! Tailwinds to you!

[@dpearce19]

Magda, you’re such a great extra set of eyes! Well done!

[@grumpyoldman3812]

That was awesome! And packed full of on the fly info! We cant control the weather, but a good pilot can react well and smart to it. Bravo!

[@authorized411]

This is a great video on how things don't always go according to plan. Thanks for continuing to post it despite it not being the original intention of the video.

[@SingleEngineAviator]

Great job! People were stepping on toes big-time on your approach, that was ridiculous but you handled it super well! Student pilot here with 35 hours and heading out on my second cross country in about 3 hours. I always learn a lot watching your videos. Thanks a bunch!

[@GolfonFlying]

Nice decision making! As you said the key to these situations is knowing you have enough fuel to give you time to make the safe decision

[@coreymcdonald7745]

As others have mentioned: “unable” - one of the most, if not the most powerful word in aviation.

[@ActualFactsRacing]

Lot of great stuff packed in there! Love longer videos.

[@peterking3733]

One opportunity to make your communication more clear is to say you are “crossing overhead to enter the 45.” This disambiguates from the immediate turn to downwind like the TBM executed.

[@MyHumboldtLife]

One great decision after another to bring it in safely. Thanks for walking us through your process.

[@rodgerburden9140]

Great learning video Jason! Thank you! Pilots need to know their options and the risks associated with each option. As a student solo pilot I departed in cloudless skies on a cross country here in NC with flight following in the summer of 2021. About half way to my destination I saw a heavy cloud layer below me. I turned back to abort the XC and ATC asked what I was doing. I told them I wasn't comfortable with the clouds and they followed me back to safety.

[@josec4790]

Great video. One observation from an extensive seminar on adsb traffic. Traffic 300 ft above or below should not be trusted as it can be at your same altitude. Anything within 500 ft should be extremely monitored and obviously never rely on adsb solely for traffic avoidance. The eyes are your best defense.

[@realulli]

ADS-B tells him which direction to look, though.

[@mikemazzola6595]

Interesting video. I completely agree with the comment "can't script aviation". Of course, most of the time it goes according to plan. But you have to honestly prepare yourself to make decisions with "now" information, not what the plan said to expect. I have flown by Tampa Executive on my way to Peter O'Knight. KTPF is way cooler an airport to land at than Tampa International. But, this was supposed to be about flying in Class Bravo airspace, and going to KTPA was probably the only way to force ATC to let you do it.

[@enetkc5121]

Fantastic video. As a fairly new student pilot that has been around aviation off and on for over 30 years, I’ve been watching videos and reading everything I can absorb. This is by far the best learning experience video on decision making and the fluidity of how to handle change in flight that I have seen. I wish there were more videos like this one to show how to handle various complex situations as we are learning our skills. I can’t say enough positive comments about this video. It is the best real life scenario learning experience video I have watched so far. Thank you both for making it.

[@adfa5288]

Had my wife watch this video so she could learn from your wife how she can help in the cockpit with traffic .... Great Video !!

[@erich930]

Really cool little video there, Jason! It's actually really cool to see an uncut video so we can just see the whole picture. Seeing that storm literally EXPLODE up over TPA was wild!

[@rogerclarke3291]

Hi from the UK. Cool video. I'm a new pilot . I learned loads from you video, Thanks for posting.

[@RetSol61]

So much more entertaining and so much more educational and practical than watching freaking TV.

[@mustaphahabib2703]

What a fantastic video! Great to see that CRM in action as well.

[@phydeaux45]

No worries on the length, I learned a lot on this one. Great video.

[@DavidLundyAileron]

Fantastic video. What a great illustration of the need and ability to work through live changes in the real world. I once got caught in the middle of Lake Michigan on a small boat when a squall line went through. Like your experience, weather was perfect when we started. Then as we were about 1/2 way across (about 20 miles) we went from 1 foot waves to 8-10 as the wall of wind and water came across the lake. It was terrifying but we adapted and managed to get to shore safely. Thanks for the great vid.

[@billfly2186]

Outstanding. Nice to a have a good observer with you.

[@kristofkopecky5723]

I love videos like this because I can apply your decision making to assist mine

[@UnlikelyHero]

I was looking for something to watch on Netflix but wandered in here instead. Watched the whole 35 minutes of footage, it was like a movie! Haha. Thanks!

[@clarencewatson6226]

Love this video Jason. You are hitting everything I’m learning for my Cross Country. Also love the “Look At The Squirrel” moment with the Bald Eagle 😂😂

[@turks24]

Great video! It was exciting flying along with you and seeing how you managed the flight. Thank you!!

[@drcode4]

Great video Jason. Probably better than the one you had planned. I like how it turned out and learned something along the way.

[@challengeaccepted790]

Just stumbled across your video and I learned a lot, I’m about to go for my long cross to KBOW just east of we’re you landed and I’m really nervous about weather like this happening but watching how you tackled the situation helped me feel less nervous for my flight and have more confidence if I ever find myself in this situation. Thanks so much! Just subscribed!

[@GregHopp]

Good luck on your XC. Always have an out like they did. I've outrun or flown around WX on a few occasions, and always there was sunshine and higher ceilings I could turn toward if the situation deteriorated.

[@ronellis8312]

Great video! Fantastic to see all the action and excellent decision making!!!

[@larrykrise3609]

never get to old to learn.im 84,still learn a thing or 2.love flying

[@romoeas]

Fav vid you’ve done. Good thorough decision making and thought processes. 👏

[@greyjay9202]

What most impresses me about aviation, is the level of alertness, courtesy, and accountability baked into the system. Its old fashioned, and I like it. Its a good template for society as a whole. Those who violate it, are creating problems for everybody.

[@cmmguy99]

Because the laws of physics are immutable and unforgiving when you elect to violate them. That makes people generally more polite.

[@joyrellroldan3938]

Cool video. I am an air traffic controller at that Air Force base u passed by Macdill AFB (MCF). It’s cool being able to connect some of the dots. I also definitely recognizes the voice of the Tampa south (119.9) controller.

[@mmichaeldonavon]

Excellent video. I found myself in the cockpit watching every move. :-) Many thanks.

[@ericmichau8922]

Thanks for taking us on your journey. Very informative.

[@MichaelLott-gx6yn]

Loved it! Thanks Jason and Magda for helping us viewers gain experience with decision making, radio communications, and crew management.

[@dsinha99]

Great job! Friendly skies, even if not always clear..

[@Mtlmshr]

This is the part of fly (doing all the weather stuff) that turned me off from flying unfortunately. Just listening and watching you work the radios was SO CONFUSING to me (I’m sure with much practice and proper training it would become clear?) great skill set on your part!

[@chrisslater3625]

Love these video’s Jason!! You all are awesome!!!!

[@EarlAnderson-zh1jh]

Really enjoyed watching this video. I'll be signing up for the IFR program online.

[@hmbelbin]

Truely one of the best real world videos I have seen. Awesome!

[@donaldsmith3048]

In Florida the storms come up fast sometimes! You are using your head and keeping safe!

[@antoineandre2151]

that was a BRILLANT video! Thank you for sharing, it was really instructed to see how you manage the situation, very cool to follow you ! Thx and fly safe!

[@countrugensfriend350]

"If we get in a jam sweetheart" ? Professional communication.

[@TerryAndrews-t2b]

Great instructive video and great job by co-pilot.

[@LWDavis58]

You have a natural comm with atc. Very clear. Good job staying in front of everything. Lol digital guy is too slow. Haha

[@skyepilotte11]

Great video...intense with so many aircraft around and weather...thx

[@iPilotFlorida]

Well done! Funny how i sit and work via my pc and watched the approach as everyone wanting to have some chat time when your trying to visualize the traffic situation: > feeling my heart increase being in the same situation over Venice VNC! Thanks as always...

[@scottgreenway9963]

Wow!! That was almost as exciting as flying into EAA on opening day! Head on a swivel stuff... I could never cut it as a pilot.

[@universeunknown1880]

And through all that mess you were willing to let that jet roll… needless to say great video and thank you for what you do for aviation!

[@bunkkasponge]

What a lovley flight! thank's for getting a ridealong seat

[@jaredgoff8803]

Well done! Very helpful video! Keep up the great work.

[@mikeflippo6273]

Fantastic ADM with no delay!!!!

[@messianichebrewshawnkawcak1550]

Great CRM. Better to be safe than sorry. Being mindful of the limits of your airplane is critical.

[@adrianrehak8585]

Fun to watch! Safety first!

[@justanotherguy3850]

In Los Angeles we call this navigating through Rush Hour traffic. My only suggestion would be that you put an attenuator in line going to your audio recorder. Trying to listen to you, your co-pilot, and ATC / traffic was tiring. Communications fatigue. I have any Communicator since 1975 and I'm familiar with as many as five channels at a time in front of me. Still beat this old guy down. Just a thought. Great communication with your fellow Pilots going to Tampa Exec. Thank you for a great video!

[@garygazman3827]

Great video! Love the teamwork...Just curious why you didn’t “plan “ either an upwind entry or a Midfield X Wind entry for RWY 5 ?

[@RyanAviation1761]

I was curious about the same. The big 270 to downwind seemed unnecessary. Any ideas why he chose that game plan? I'm sure there's a good reason I'm missing.

[@freedomfalcon]

I saw that too.

[@stevecastro22]

Better safe than sorry. Well done Jason......

[@Quads-n-Tech]

Great video, you have a good co-pilot also. Nice flight

[@kduhamel]

Loved the real world in aviation video.

[@dianemenke3185]

Enjoyed that one and your wife is a good co pilot!

[@urbanturbine]

Oh let me check out this video for a minute..... (35 minutes later - French accent). Wooh, i watched the whole thing as usual... Great content.

[@johnorlovich4789]

Jason, at 3:53 into the video, you missed a great opportunity to discuss the delayed nature of the Nexrad - ADSB-in radar wx data. That info, especially with the recent change to radar wx in Foreflight, could be delayed to almost 30 minutes. Your comment that you couldn't see the currently observed wx showing up on radar is the trigger for that discussion with the student (wife) and those watching the video. Love your videos.

[@coppi60]

Fantastic video Jason!!

[@waltmooredanwilson8754]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. I wish you the best. Take care and God Bless.

[@FamilyManMoving]

AOPA had a fly-in camping event at Tampa Exec that weekend. Explains all the traffic.

[@diegocuartas717]

Excellent video Jason. Thanks for posting it.

[@love2fly558]

Typical FL Wx, even before it showed up in your ADSB, I had a feeling it was was a localized nasty Wx for TPA. I started flying again 5 years ago after a 20 year absence. I remember flying to VDF and back to X59. There was a VFR forecast for the whole day, however approaching X59, I could tell the forecast was completely off. Tried to divert to MLB but it had a nasty build up on top it as well. Ended up diverting to CIO. I now have my instrument rating all current and constantly fly into VDF, SQR, LNA, and GNV on Angel Flights. Kudos to FL ATC, they love helping you fly around TSs.

[@tangotango256]

Agreed way too much clammor going on at first monitoring ATC and ATIS at the same time with busy airways to boot Bravo airspace to deal with and a storm for good measure .... not good scenario if say on a solo check ride lol !! Great vid !

[@MrBradUtter]

Love the video. Weather can be intimidating

[@JeffMoulton-cj3rv]

Great Video! Enjoyed watching your ADM process!

[@kenkarger6594]

Great video. Unscripted is always more fun to watch and more educational too.

[@trentdowler7443]

Wow! Great pilots working through a difficult situation.

[@shirlzitting647]

...and turning difficulty into controlled ease. But with traffic and vmc/imc like that, a new pilot simply avoids it while learning.

[@jimbosweeney]

Well done! "Bold pilots usually don't get to become old pilots..."

[@jasonsoucie5123]

Jason , you started to discuss why you wouldn’t do a north side crossing, but then radio traffic interrupted. Please discuss further. Thanks

[@windhover294]

Great airmanship, thanks for sharing

[@bobbugs2058]

Great video! I like how you were REAL!

[@flysport_tedder]

23:00 ya know, that blue sky is really pretty. I didn't expect that.