On this episode of Flight Tales, we get real about weather planning and aeronautical decision-making (ADM)—from using AviationWeather.gov and understanding winds aloft, to why TAFs can flip fast, and how personal minimums keep new pilots out of trouble. We talk about the stuff that actually matters when you stop flying local training blocks and start doing real cross-countries:✈️ How to plan weather days ahead (trend watching) vs. just checking the departure METAR🌫️ Fog season, temperature/dew point spread, and why forecasts can change overnight💨 Cold fronts, “clear sky = windy day” traps, and seasonal patterns that catch new pilots🧭 Commercial long cross-country planning: different terrain, different systems, different risks🟣 Using in-flight tools (ADS-B/ForeFlight/ATC/ASOS) to re-evaluate and divert early🧠 “Wild West Part 91” decisions (just because you can doesn’t mean you should)🎯 Why actual IMC feels nothing like hood time—and how that affects proficiency🤖 Autopilot: helpful safety tool… until it becomes a crutch

Bottom line: Plan on the ground, build margins, have a Plan B (and C), and don’t let external pressure make the decision for you.👇 Drop your questions or episode ideas in the comments—we’ll answer what we can.

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