"CareBear" wrote in
:

everywhere! The MEF for this quadrant is 2200 feet. So now I got to
make a decision since the clouds were about 2300 feet. I decided to
go above the clouds. I talked to Huntsville Center and informed them
of my intentions. They had no problem with my decision but cautioned
me to get below the clouds when I see land again. I was above the
clouds about 10 minutes although it seemed like forever!

Having been there and done it, I would never suggest going above a cloud
deck that you cannot see the other side where it may be clear.... I did
this after getting my VFR license and instead of Owensboro KY where I was
headed, I ended up in Lawrencville IL to wait out the weather (couple of
hours). Needless to say, after that trip, I got a'workin on my IFR ticket.

The forecast in my trip was nothing compared what I experienced and I had
to divert. I fessed up to center as I had flight following too and they
were graceful enough to help me find a VFR airport.

I thought students had to have a constant visual ground reference and were
not to do VFR over the top, but I could be mistaken.

On your excursion, did you contact FSS to evaluate the weather at 3A1 or
did you check the AWOS 124.175 at 3A1 to help you evaluate the weather in
Cullman?

If anything, you will now become a better meteorologist *big smile* after a
trip like you had!

Allen