I woke up early this morning to beat the heat and the weather. Have not been flying as much due to a mechanical issue that had the plane waiting at the mechanics for a while. Knock on wood, we have it all sorted. It was a hard problem to diagnose but since the fix everything has worked well.
My morning briefing and look out the window promised a nice VFR morning. After preflighting, I pulled the plane out and took one last look at the weather and NOTAMS. It was sunny right above me but the airport was calling 800 Broken, so I filed 2 flight plans. One to get out and a backup to get home. At the time it looked like it would all clear shortly so the second plan seemed a bit gratuitous but filing is free and always easier to have one in my back pocket.
Departure was easy with 800 broken starting at the end of the runway. I was cleared to 3000' heading 280 and I soon popped out the top. After checking in and climing 1000' above the tops, I cancelled and headed South to enjoy the morning and continue to knock the rust off my flying skills.
This was my 4th flight after getting the plane back. I had used my third to shoot approaches with a buddy and I was well within the currency requirements. I was both current and felt proficient. While flying around I watched the airport go VFR on the ADSB display so when I checked back in with approach, I was surprised when she told me that was old news and the field had just gone IFR.
I had been down South and had not gotten the ATIS yet as I was beyond range. I activated my IFR plan, was cleared to JEVAG and then was able to get ATIS which was calling it 800 Overcast. So that was a change. Ahead of me was a C-172 that grabbed a pop up IFR, I think the weather was unexpected for them too.
I briefed the approach, double checked minimums as there was a NOTAM on the LPV. It was not a big change so not really an issue. I was cleared straight in for the GPS 32 and made a smooth turn at JEVAG. The winds were light but the clouds were definitely there. I went in at 2500' and popped out at 900'. The C-172 called it 700'. It was nice and clear below and even managed to make a nice smooth landing. It was not my intention to fly IFR today but always happy for the practice. Just a reminder to think through the contingencies.
