About this episode
A young pilot faces unexpected challenges while trying to reach family for Thanksgiving amidst a winter storm.
In this episode of “Never Again,” a young instrument-rated pilot sets out for a cozy Thanksgiving with family only to find himself racing a fast-moving winter system across the Midwest. But when one airport after another unexpectedly closes in blowing snow, his carefully crafted plans evaporate. With fuel dwindling, visibility collapsing, and the squall line tightening around him, he’s forced to improvise a plan B… then C… then D… until he’s running out of sky, daylight, and options.
Topics covered
- aviation
- weather challenges
- flight planning
- instrument flying
- emergency procedures
Keywords
- instrument-rated pilot
- Thanksgiving
- winter system
- airport closures
- improvisation
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Midwest
More episodes of AOPA Never Again
- Near-Death Grip (June 2026) · June 2, 2026 · 8 min
- Approaching On Fumes (May 2026) · May 1, 2026 · 6 min
- Unavoidable Carb Ice (April 2026) · April 1, 2026 · 8 min
- Expect The Unexpected (March 2026) · March 2, 2026 · 7 min
- Just Say No (Go) (February 2026) · February 1, 2026 · 9 min
- Owning Up to Inadvertent IMC Entry (January 2026) · January 1, 2026 · 7 min
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