By Laurie Norton



Scud running from Roatan (RTB) to Belize (BZE).

Due to cumulus cloud, our plane was scud running (flying at a lower altitude.) Generally RTB – BZE route has planes flying 7000 – 9000 ft. Even though Tropic has instrument-rated pilots, weather and prevailing wind speed can cause a need to fly low. Thankfully it was only fluffy clouds that made for a relaxing flight and set our altitude closer to 7000 feet that day. Our speed was about 145 knots (268 kilometers per hour) with zero turbulence the whole way.