We've been asked why we would produce such a video. When it comes to flight training courses and visual examples of atmospheric instability, most training curriculums are seriously lacking. It is our hope that this contribution will make a significant difference.
NTSB statistics continue to indicate that some pilots don't know what to look for when it comes to thunderstorms. Literally, lives are at stake. Through scenario based examples, Convection Connection will focus on the visual aspects of recognizing when the atmosphere is going unstable and offers pilots an appropriate course of action.
$19.99 ($9.99 for download) is certainly worth the knowledge you will gain from our experience dealing with thunderstorms. Your money for the DVD will be refunded if you don't agree. There's no risk to you purchasing this video but flying without this knowledge could be another story.
Testimonials, chapter descriptions, and purchase details can be found below.
Many of you visited this site because you have seen there's a need to learn more about thunderstorms than what our text books teach in ground school. Specifically practical information that you can apply in the cockpit of your airplane. Reading about convection on the written page is one thing but seeing thunderstorms from above is a whole different animal. Not to mention the anxiety factor associated with having to make a last minute change of plan once you realize you may not make it to your destination.
If you are a student or newly licensed private pilot, you have been granted the privilege to wander the sky when thunderstorms are forecast. Yet flight training has given you little or no real-world experience dealing with or recognizing thunderstorms from above. This is where we come in...
Convection Connection part one takes over where flight training left off. Flying safely when storms are present is all about understanding our unstable atmosphere and making wise choices therein. The full utility of small aircraft can't be utilized if they remain grounded because storms are in the forecast. Sure, there are times when convection rules and you shouldn't fly. Yet many times you can safely manage the additional risk thunderstorms impose upon your flight. We've spent hundreds of hours flying the Midwest during thunderstorm season. Let us share with you what we've learned about the real world of sharing the sky with thunderstorms.
Convection Connection will not only arm you with vital flying advice, it will wow you with spectacular cinematography. Part two of this film glorifies the awesome beauty of thunderstorms as can only be seen from above, in a manner which anyone can appreciate. Earth bound storm chasers and severe weather enthusiasts will undoubtedly find their convective cravings satisfied by this film. Ride along on actual flights through severe thunderstorm and tornado warned areas. Experience the real world of thunderstorm flying from the safety of your DVD player.
Convection Connection was professionally produced and edited. Originally filmed in HDV , this is truly a broadcast quality wide screen production. Movie chapter descriptions and still frames follow:
PART ONE:
CH 1) Introduction. You'll be hooked Hollywood style!
CH 2) Airplanes and Thunderstorms. A fast paced overview of flying our unstable atmosphere.
CH 3) Jostling Joplin. You are taken on an actual business trip to Joplin, MO where the pilot is required to handle an urgent need at her out of state office. Mother nature is getting angry but the forecast says she can make it...Or does she?
CH 4) Mesoscale Morning Early morning convection was forecast to dissipate well before noon as we flew IFR from St. Louis, MO to FT. Wayne, IN. The problem was, the weather had no intention of minding the forecast. While circumnavigating one cell it became tornado warned. We'll show you how we found out about the warning before Air Traffic Control ever knew.
CH 5) Tornado Vortex Signature. A squall line had been marching through central Missouri this muggy June afternoon. Flight Service mentioned this convective activity during our weather briefing and acknowledged that local visual flying would be okay for a couple of hours based on the rate the squall line was moving. Shortly after departing ALN, one discrete supercell developed explosively well ahead of this squall line. We never expected to capture what we did on film. In fact, we admittedly flew too close to this supercell. So a word of warning to pilots. Do not do as we did!
CH 6) Get-There-Itis. Sooner or later, every pilot will find themselves in a situation where getting there is a must. The problem is, the weather won't always cooperate.
When it comes to thunderstorms, the desire to arrive won't keep you alive. This chapter alone is worth the price of the video. It is emotionally disturbing and may very well save your life!
CH 7) Flying Tips. Practical flying tips to keep you safe when storms invade your sky. Includes survival advice for inadvertent storm penetration and landing when storms are near the airfield. (Don't think you won't be tempted to land when the runway is in sight).
PART TWO: Our Majestic Unstable Atmosphere.
There are two sides to every coin, including thunderstorms. Some of the most beautiful sights this side of heaven can only be seen from an airplane. Pilots and non-pilots alike will be captivated by the awesome beauty of convection as seen from the cockpit. Again, don't take our word for it...
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Cruise Kansas as spring showers give way to electrical towers!
See air- to- air footage of small aircraft dealing with convection.
Learn to recognize the many signs of atmospheric instability.
Dodge pulse storms in the tropics a week before Katrina.
See the mighty and majestic.
Some weather you'll never want to see...
...from the cockpit of an airplane! (Chapter 5)
Learn how to manage risk when convection makes a connection.
Pilots! Remember your legal responsibilities?
Unique views from externally mounted video cameras.
Learn pratical flight planning tips which will keep you safe.
Takeoff now, be on the evening news...
Sometimes driving is safer...
Signs that your smooth flight is about to end.
What you should do (besides pray) if caught in a thunderstorm...
CB's that mean business.
Views unseen from earthbound perspectives.
Havoc on the horizon!
If you MUST land when a storm is near the airport...
...know how to minimize your chances of a disastrous arrival.
Experience the awesome beauty of convection as seen from above.
What lurks behind those innocent stratus?
More still frames from the video...
"We have watched and very much enjoyed the DVD of thunderstorm clouds. We especially like the parts where peaceful music accompanied majestic cloud scenes. The tornadic storm sequence was awesome also! We would definately recommend this DVD to anyone who is captivated by the beauty of thunderheads and lightning seen upclose and personal in their own environment.
Sincerely,
Stephen Levine, Director
Tornado Alley Safari Tours, and Birthing Your Life Dream Workshops"
Joe Chetta of Alton, IL said "The chapter titled
Get There Itis made me cry!"
"It's an amazing collection of skyscapes, and some of the 3-D views
of downdraft and updraft interfaces are really unique."
Tim Vasquez
Tim Vasquez is among the top experts on weather analysis and forecasting. His books, including Weather Forecasting Handbook, Weather Map Handbook, and Storm Chasing Handbook are popular titles and are used in weather courses at Valparaiso University, St. Cloud State University, the University of Georgia, St. Louis University, and the University of North Dakota, and many others.
We pulled the tiger's tail a few times to acquire the footage necessary to convey the seriousness of sharing the sky with thunderstorms. In no way do we condone what was done as safe. Much of what you will see in this production is exactly what you will never want to see from the cockpit of your airplane. Yet we know some of you are going to experience what we have with convection. It may be unintentional but it will happen. We found this out one day while flying in clouds and moderate rain on an IFR trip only to find out that our rain event decided to become a full blown thunderstorm while we were inside! Totally unmentioned in the forecast. What we offer you today is our sincere attempt to arm you for the unexpected, as well as what is forecast. If you don't find this DVD informative and entertaining, return it with your written explanation within 30 days of purchase and we will refund your money. There is no risk to you, but there is a lot of risk to you if you fly without this information. Safety is YOUR choice.
Students, private pilots, and flight instructors;
Ground school didn't teach you all you need to know to be a safe pilot when it comes to thunderstorms. As great as weather forecasting has become, thunderstorms can form when you least expect them, even in winter.
If you flight plan according to a forecast that doesn't include thunderstorms, you probably won't have a plan B for the storm you encounter unmentioned in your pre-flight weather briefing. Once near or inside that thunderstorm, do you know what to do? There are three reasons why you could end up too close to or actually penetrate a thunderstorm. 1- You didn't adequately flight plan, 2 - Storms developed around you while you were flying in the clouds (as happened to us), and 3 - You simply did not recognize the visual signs of atmospheric instability. This is what's missing from ground school. Real visual examples of atmospheric warning signs.
Since 1998, we have flown the Midwest over 300 hours each year. We learned a few things about thunderstorms and risk management in the process. Let us share this experience with you. Your precious cargo (the people seated in your aircraft) deserve a pilot ready to make wise decisions when that meteorological curve ball comes your way.
Marco Leon, a private pilot from Farmingdale, NY writes "Gorgeous cinematography. It obviously took a lot of time to get those shots and you had so many of them. Great advice and I learned some new stuff." A "relaxing, heavenly, and even hypnotic experience."
Actual still frame from DVD
" It shall be , when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all life. "
Genesis 9:13-15
NTSC
"As I was watching the real life scenarios on this video I kept thinking to myself how great it would've been to have had this video when I started flying in the real world. What they teach you in ground school books are the mechanics of thunderstorms. What this video teaches you is how to visually interpret thunderstorms, and how to identify when you're getting into a bad situation. This video puts you right in the path of severe storms and teaches you the do's and don'ts of flying in bad weather. Whether your a seasoned pilot, or just learning to fly, you WILL take something away from this video!"
Jeff Thomas. King Air 300
ACTUAL VIDEO FRAME FROM DVD
Convection Connection
Flying Our Unstable Atmosphere
Thunderstorms remain among the deadliest hazards encountered in flight. Over the past ten years, more than 70 percent of the accidents caused by thunderstorm encounters were fatal.
This production picks up where the FAA left off in regards to educating pilots about thunderstorms. Fly with us as we share the sky with severe convection.
Also available as MPEG 4 or WMV download for only $9.99
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Those who fly or who are fascinated by the horror and beauty of thunderstorms are in for a real treat. You don't have to be a pilot to enjoy this film.
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I flew into a thunderstorm once, lost 1000 feet in what seemed a second. Embedded thunderstorms are a hazard in general aviation around here, and not a lot of awareness and training for them. After watching the DVD Convection Connection I wondered why we don't have a training video like this in ground school. Great production, gets adrenaline running!
