This was my third consecutive flight in heavy turbulence. Come on, weather. It’s winter, and it’s supposed to offer better flying conditions than the summer heat. There was nothing obvious to suggest this would happen. The ground wind was very light and steady, and there were no strong contrasts between sunny and shaded areas.

I had originally planned to fly over the ski hills to check the snow conditions. I didn’t make it far before the first bursts of intense turbulence reminded me who was in charge. I was forced to change my flight plan, shifting from the northeast to the southwest toward Savona Mountain. Conditions kept cycling between bad and perfect.

I decided to cut the flight short when the turbulence became more intense. I turned west of Tobiano toward the north side of Kamloops Lake, and it became brutal. I felt like a garbage bag in the wind. It was the most intense turbulence I’ve ever experienced as a pilot. At least I came back with a good video.