Guatemala Skies

On a recent trip to Ushuaia, Argentina I missed the opportunity to fly at the end of the world. I waited too long to make a scenic flight on the passenger seat and the wind was too strong when I finally planned the flight. The day before, I was warned that they wouldn´t fly if the wind reached 30 kt. Wow 30 kt! Holy cow, but I guess you gotta have a high wind tolerance to get any flying down south. The day I had planned to fly the wind was 36 kt gusting to 56 kt. No arguing from my side… I can only imagine how gusting 56 kt wind feels when flying in between the mountain peaks. Thanks, but not thanks! I guess I will keep this on my bucket list and use it as a reason to come back.

Check out the Aeroclub Ushuaia building and note the wind sack.

Just wanted to share some pictures from a trip in the past in Guatemala. Original destination was Flores, but the route ended up being completely different because of weather conditions. Interesting question that arises…

Do you require visual contact with terrain when you fly under VFR? Would like to hear what you know / think.

Hello!

While on a trip to Argentina I went flying. Obviously without a license, an instructor had to come along. It really is only an introduction flight that can be done. It was fun to fly in another country and flying a different plane. Many US students learn to fly on a Cessna 152. For me it was the first time flying a Cessna 152. I was pleasantly surprised on several aspects. The Cessna handles really similar to the 172. It reacts quick, with lighter touch and only a little reduced climb and cruise speeds. What I found really surprising was the cross wind component in cruise flight. You can really feel how the wind is pushing you sidewards and how much you have to crab. All this together I can understand why the 152 is such a popular trainer.

These pictures have been added to the Gallery Picture Gallery.

Clear Skies!

Hello!

Until the US validation of the Guatemala pilot license is completed, I am trying to get some flying time with pilot friends from Texas as a passenger. Or does configuring the auto pilot qualify for at least co-pilot? 🙂 This was a cross-country flight out to big wind mill farms.

These pictures have been added to the Gallery Picture Gallery.

After having completed the US validation of the Guatemalan private pilot license, I will publish the process and experience with it.

Safe flying!

A Guatemala Mountain Flying video has been added to the Video Gallery. The video was shot from a flight last December. Takeoff from La Aurora, flight over Quetzaltenango, landing in San Marcos, flight and landing in Quiche and back to Guatemala. Check it out…

The radio communication script has been updated. Thanks Lei for the great feedback and tips from a pro!

A new page was added. It contains a graph showing actual density altitude at La Aurora and the last 24 hours. The graph is updated automatically as it pulls the information from the Internet.

https://www.guatemala-skies.com/flight-preparation/density-altitude/

Wow… Pretty scary!

“Non-instrument rated pilots have a life expectancy of less than three minutes in IMC, probably because of [spatial disorientation].”

From AOPA’s January magazine, article “Oh, no, vertigo” on page 26.

Check out the picture from Tajamulco in the Picture Gallery. I have also added a route to the Get to know Guatemala page under Day 5 – Mountain Flying. A video will come soon!

A link to the SkyVector site has been added. Thanks Ricardo for sharing the link.

See visual and some instrument maps online here on this beta version. Also see the weather at a single glance for an entire area.