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Rick_Dickert's Blog

by Rick_Dickert from Los Angeles, CA

Last Post 15 days, 8 hours Ago


SkyFox Flying Weather
Mar 13, 2008 | 5:42 PM
Category: Weather
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Flying up in SkyFox every morning, we encounter all kinds of weather. As a meteorologist, this is one of the many parts of my job that I love. I get to see first hand from 1000’ up exactly what is happening. Are low clouds spreading north into L.A. due to an eddy? Are the Santa Ana winds as strong as forecast? Has the cold front cleared the L.A. Basin? I can show and tell all of this every morning from SkyFox.

However, the weather can be a bit challenging for our helicopter as well. Wind is the worst. Strong Santa Ana winds make flying quite difficult and a bit sketchy. The erratic nature of the gusts are especially challenging. During a strong wind event, we try and stay clear of the mountains and canyons where the winds are typically strongest. However, if a wildfire develops and we need to cover it for the viewers, we just have to go with it...and typically they are in the windiest locations. I am often asked if I ever get scarred while flying due to the wind or other weather elements. I love it all, as long as it is in the zone of safe flying, which brings me to my next point.

Yes, there are limits to our flying ability. The visibility and ceiling are typically our biggest constraints. SkyFox and our pilot are categorized as a VFR (Visual Flight Rules) aircraft. In a controlled air space, the limits for VFR flying are at the lower end of MVFR conditions (Marginal Visual Flight Rules). This means the visibility should be 3 miles or greater and the ceiling (height of the bases of the clouds) should be no lower than 1000’ AGL (Above Ground Level). However, we have a special “clause” that allows us to fly if the visibility is as low as 1 mile and the ceiling drops to 500’ AGL. The FAA stipulates that our flying be in an environment in which we can make a safe landing without injury or damage to property. In the end, it is the pilots call. If he feels it is too dangerous, we keep the bird on the ground. With winds, if gusts are exceeding 50 mph, we are grounded. Bottom line, we fly as safe as possible.

You all be safe too!

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Member Comments Total Comments: 17
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beepbeep read my blog view my photos
Mar 14, 2008 | 9:02 AM

St. Baldricks tomorrow
ErintheCalichick read my blog
Mar 14, 2008 | 9:29 AM

Rick,

I posted a blog on here yesterday giving my account of the dramatic wind episode in Santa Clarita yesterday. It is something that being on the ground can be nerve racking, so I couldn't imagine being in the sky for it. And there are times I do wonder how flying can be in iffy weather. Luckily, it is very clear you have a fantastic pilot that seems to really be aware of the conditions and know the unsafe choices in the sky. And since you seem so comfortable in the air, it just further confirms his excellence flying SkyFox. As well as your knowledge of the FAA standards - I think you guys have it under control.

Well Rick - Have fun in SkyFox and always stay safe!! It's been a blast watching you and the crew on the live stream this week.

Erin
blcoffman read my blog
Mar 14, 2008 | 11:27 AM

Cool report Mr.Rick Dickert so true you can't fly in a low ceiling huh? We do need the rains though.
Its pouring in Humboldt co.today hailing even! Hey but our net connections must have been improved we have had no troubles at all this winter and lots of wild weather!! Cool hope that your up and flying soon buddy take good care!Rick You're one of the very best parts of GDLA, Brenda
Mom_1
Mar 14, 2008 | 11:49 AM

Hi Rick,
I'm new to this Blogging thing, and with that I couldn't resist writing you. If you didn't figure it out, yes, I'm Erica's Mom. I hear from Erica how much she loves working with you, and indirectly we have talked. One morning while I was listening to fox's streaming, I called Erica and you talked to me in the air. I was like an excited little kid all day telling everyone. Although I'm not a big fan of helicopters, I do understand how exciting it can be in the air. About 20 years ago a friend took me up in his helicopter to overcome my fear, and it was pretty amazing as we flew without doors and landed on hilltops just as you do. I'm very glad you are flying with someone so awhare of the weather conditions to sometimes keep you grounded. Stay safe, and hope we can meet in person sometime.
hotmomof4 view my photos
Mar 14, 2008 | 1:36 PM

Rick your a really HOT weather Guy!!! I think your a really nice guy and i love showing goodday LA.
beepbeep read my blog view my photos
Mar 16, 2008 | 1:54 PM

Agua Dulce St. Baldricks got rained on...boo hoo

late
beepbeep read my blog view my photos
Mar 16, 2008 | 1:56 PM

oh one more thing


I got a haircut...
calimary
Mar 17, 2008 | 1:06 PM

..there is nothing better than flying with you on live feed 2 and then learning all these things about it on your blog. i mean, it is amazing, rick! ..and i hooked up someone i know, who is deathly afraid to fly, with your live feed and he keeps the link up here in nashville every morning. what an inspiration you are! wow. have a good day..
Timn view my photos
Mar 17, 2008 | 6:03 PM

Hey Rick, just wanted to drop in and say hello from Columbus, Ohio. I've recently gone thru some minor surgery, that has had me off my feet for a few weeks.

I could only stand to watch so many dvds and one can only stand so much political talk on the news, so I started browsing live cams, streaming cams on the west coast.. and happen to run across Foxla. Really thought it was sweet how they linked up the video feed from the helicopter and allow us, the internet viewers to ride along.

I haven't been out to the west coast since the mid 80's. My brother worked on container ships out there at the time, we'd pack the car up for a summer vacation and run out to visit him.

I have to say you have one heck of a gig out there, getting to fly everyday and take all the sights / action in and get paid! Lucky Dog! My dad flew helicopters here for the Columbus PD for 17 years here, so aviation has always been in the family.

It's barely breaking into the 40s the last few days here, it seems Ohio usually has this grey cloud over it 4 or 5 months out of the year (grin)... Can't wait for spring, but nothing like the beautiful weather you are having out there.

I was just about ready to pack my bags last Thursday when you were flying over the coast of Malibu and rolling some film on the surfers catchin some decent waves.

I really enjoy the great coverage and look forward to seein you on again here in the future!
Rick_Dickert read my blog view my photos
Mar 18, 2008 | 8:50 AM

Hey Tim-
WOW! Thanks so much for watching from Columbus, OH!
Hope you are doing better..
You are right..I do have a great gig..dream job..I nevere get tired of flying..I try and show you and everyone else my world each morning from 1000'
Take care and keep in touch and thanks so much
again for writing and watching on the web!
Rick
Rick_Dickert read my blog view my photos
Mar 18, 2008 | 8:52 AM

beep-beep-
So good to hear from you again! thanks for the updates..

calimary-Thanks for staying tuned into FOX and
telling Nashville about it! So cool...Keep in touch!

hotmomo-THANK you for the nice words!! and thanks for watching us.."hotmomo"...very nice..
mystere read my blog view my photos
Mar 18, 2008 | 3:39 PM

Rick,

Any good beach flyovers lately? It's always amazing to get a view from up above. And I notice that Sebar's been dropping plenty of hints on the Mama's doughnuts...have you ever flown over the building and gotten a shot of the storefront? I read Dorothy's and Erica's blogs, and Sebar's responses on them. Keep on flying, and if you fly near John F. Kennedy High in La Palma, maybe I'll spot you if you're on the Cypress side.

"Mr. E" from Cypress
Timn view my photos
Mar 18, 2008 | 10:01 PM

Rick,

Thanks for the kind note.. Yes doing better, went thru a hernioplasty, a little to much heavy lifting over the past few years (and bad genetics I guess) have caught up with me and slowly tore my abdomen over time. And wow, the procedure was a little more painful than I expected... I should be an advocate for proper lifting techniques..(grin)

I stay fairly active myself, jogging, biking.. and the last 6 months or so I wasn't able to get out and run.. so I can't wait to get back up and running.

Wakeboarding and kneeboarding is the closest thing I can get here compared to being at the beach. (and thats not much of a comparison) When I was a kid I had some great times tearin up the surf on a boogie board out there in Huntington Beach...

I wasn't sure how to (or if it's possible) to post an image in the message itself. But in my album I posted a couple photos of the current conditions here in Ohio... Grey and Rain, they are calling for 2 to 4 inches here in Central Ohio on Wednesday..Ground is already saturated from 20inches of snow melt from a storm we had about a week ago.. So enjoy the sunshine out there!

I guess I should probably read farther back in the blogs... but how many hours a day are you usually up in the air ?

Have a good one, nice hearin from ya!

Tim
Rick_Dickert read my blog view my photos
Mar 20, 2008 | 8:13 AM

I am on it Mr E...Mam's and JFK High...when I am in the neighborhood..Thanks as always for keeping in touch..Have a great weekend-
Rick

Hey Timm-
We usually fly 4 hours plus a day..We have one fuel break in between...Glad to hear you are doing better. Keep on bloggin' and take care-
Rick
mystere read my blog view my photos
Mar 21, 2008 | 12:22 AM

Rick:

I just replied to your A.D. Erica's second blog, so if she mentions anything about it, I hope it's funny, or at least okay. I did throw out an idea, which I hope you both find amusing...if you discuss it, you'll know what I'm writing about; I just won't write it here...let anyone who is curious go to her blog and find out. The adventure in the sky continues! Enjoy the flight!
CharleyTee
Mar 21, 2008 | 1:10 AM

Isn't it extra dangerous when you fly over the ocean? Where would you make an emergency landing or does Skyfox have floats like I used to see on some of the TV rescue shows.
Also, if it is the pilot's decision about weather that's good enough to fly in, does he ever feel pressured by FOX management?
ostrich3000 read my blog
Apr 9, 2008 | 8:25 AM

rick. show the R.B. weather station on cam some day please.
rollie
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Rick_Dickert

What's up everyone!? I'm Rick Dickert and I do the weather, traffic and breaking news from SkyFox every morning. I love my job..flying..up in the weather..etc..etc..Every day is different. I love the ocean, surfing, hiking and everything about the environment. Blog with me and let me know what is on your mind! A few songs in my IPOD now: -White Stripes “Icky Thump” -Finger Eleven “Paralyzer” -Foo Fighters “The Pretender” -Pennywise “Perfect People” & “Disconnect” -Joss Stone “Tell me ‘bout it” -Feist “1234” -Tiger Army “Forever Fades Away” -Eddy Vedder “Society” (entire Into the Wild Soundtrack) -Fall Out Boy “Thanks for the Memories” Good Movies I’ve seen Recently -Into the Wild -American Gangster How I Spend my Weekends -Napping -Eating -Another Nap -Running -More food -Surfing -More sleep -Hanging with friends and family

Member Since: 7/4/2006


 

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