I'm flying with the 196 and 296 on the yokes... I can afford a 396 but
haven't decided that I need inflight weather... Flew the same weather
pattern you did in our report... Didn't feel the lack of in-cockpit
updates for the 1.5 to 2 hour legs, what with doing weather checks on
the ground at each stop.. I have been all over three states for the
past 6 weeks and I don't remember an airport with an instrument
approach that does not have a terminal... Certainly, grass ports,
etc., likely don't have one...
We have a few favorite stops where the FBO has closed down (Lake Lawn
Lodge and Grand Geneva to name 2). I am concerned about the weather
"popping up" while on the ground. At times we like to spend the day
somewhere and I don't want to constantly check on and worry about the
weather trying to find the "perfect" time to leave. We have also had a
sparkling forecast go South while airborne on a 2 hour trip to Ann Arbor
from Chicago. I absolutely hated the "should we land and check the
radar/METARS or plow ahead" on many trips. This box should add some data
to make the go ahead/turn around decision while in the air.


This is not a knock on the 396, it is a great box... But I have reached
the stage of life where I do not feel obligated to pick my way between
CB heads whilst hoping like hell it doesn't hail.... If you want to
live long and prosper don't try to use the 396 as an excuse for
challenging Mother Nature... She will take you up on that wager in a
heart beat...

As I said, this instrument is for weather avoidance, not penetration.
The data is not real time, therefore, not usable as a tactical look to
weave in and around a storm. It can tell me where an isolated heavy rain
is and how I can go completely around it. It can also show the general
direction and speed the rain is moving at. From there we can see whether
a given route will take us into or around any buildup. I usually give a
storm a 30+ mile space. My goal is to perhaps take a few more ventures
out on a cumulus building summer day with the confidence we can spot any
nasty stuff and delay a take off into it or give it a wide berth if it
is isolated. Ordinarily, we would simply not go. 1000 hours and an
instrument rating has taught me that little airplanes are quite useless
as a reliable transportation device. I'm just trying to chip away
slightly at the margin.

Thanks,
Mike