This was a short flight (and without music), just a fraction of my original 275 km adventure. The forecasted flying conditions were supposed to be ideal, but reality was the complete opposite. I knew right away at the gate that it wouldn’t be a pleasurable or fun flight. The weather was already warm, and I was getting hot in my winter gear.

The air quickly became turbulent with serious jolts of updrafts. There were no clouds above to suggest these conditions, yet the ride was rough. I called it quits—definitely the right decision, as another pilot who flew an hour after me reported, “Bumpy as hell, crowding my comfort level. Still, I managed to squeeze in my 20-minute fun fix, which was good.