Both Sides Now

Rows and flows of angel hair

And ice cream castles in the air

And feather canyons everywhere

I've looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun

They rain and snow on everyone

So many things I would have done

But clouds got in my way

I've looked at clouds from both sides now

From up and down, and still somehow

It's cloud illusions I recall

I really don't know clouds at all

Joni Mitchell’s song goes on to talk about clouds, love and life.  I remember hearing it on the radio when I was a young. As an adult and a pilot I’m reminded of it when I cleave a deck of clouds or I’m droning along through a layer

Many pilots can relate to the “so many things I could have done but the clouds got in the way” part. Sitting at the airport waiting for the fog to burn off while you know that every airport within 20 miles is already VFR, or poking up thru a broken layer to smooth air on top are a couple of the benefits of earning your instrument rating.

Naturally unless we have some extraordinary equipment to fly in, getting instrument rated will not allow us to fly in ice and we’d be foolish thinking we could fly through thunderstorms.

I have been flying instruments for a number of years and my experience the part  that resonates most with me is  "It's cloud illusions I recall-I really don't know clouds at all".

Even people with a lifetime of experience will tell you that every flight is different, every weather pattern brings its own challenges, and that why we need to practice to stay sharp.