In the Air Force we are taught from day one to approach emergencies with a standardized response. The acronym MATL is ingrained in every pilot’s mind. It stands for Maintain Aircraft Control, Analyze the Situation, Take Proper Action, and Land as soon as Conditions Permit. The challenge is staying disciplined when the workload spikes.
At 5:30 a.m., I awoke to light rain—the forecast had arrived sooner than expected. By midday the rain had tapered, but the ceiling stubbornly remained at 900 feet. Visibility was excellent, around 10 miles. A check of nearby METARs showed clear skies just a few miles north, with ceilings above 5,000 feet and improving. I realized this was a classic SVFR moment. I didn’t want to file IFR. Conditions were VFR just outside the Class D surface area; the only obstacle was the low ceiling at KJQF.