“We Might NOT Make It”
True story. Several years ago, a routine flight in a regional jet departed Denver, Colorado, for Helena, Montana, after sunset. VFR weather was forecasted for Helena before and after the ETA, so an alternate was not required. IFR fuel reserves were not uploaded. As the flight continued towards Montana on that seemingly clear night, it was evident that off in the distance, the valleys were obscured with low clouds, illuminated by the faint and distorted orange city lights.
