Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group Mountain Flying

Helen,

Your words of wisdom are really appreciated.
Thanks for the clear thinking and excellent information.

R. Williams

---------- Original Message -----------
From: Helen Woods <Helen_Woods@verizon.net>
To: Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, 22 May 2010 06:07:24 -0400
Subject: Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group Mountain Flying

> As some of the other posters mentioned, mountain flying here on the
> East Coast isn't nearly as much of an issue as it is on the west coast,
> mainly because here we fly over the mountains while out west they fly
> between them. Now that being said, nearly all of fatal aircraft
> accidents that involve SAR in this part of the world occur on the
> first tall mountain ridge on either side of the mountain chain so its
> good that you are thinking ahead.
>
> Most of the issues you need to be aware of when crossing East Coast
> mountains are weather related:
>
> Mountain waves - This is generally an issue in the winter in the
> winter when we get those howling NW winds after a frontal passage.
> Since our mountains are perpendicular to this you can get some wicked
> mountain waves. We see the lenticulars and rotor clouds spawned by
> these winds all the way over here on the coast of MD. You wouldn't
> want to go anywhere near the mountains in those conditions in light
> plane. Fortunately, we generally don't get those howling NW winds in
> the summer.
>
> Fog and low clouds - Mountains create their own weather. Fog hangs
> around late in the morning and if there is any sort of low visibility
> going on in the nearby flatlands, it will be worse in the mountains.
> This is generally what kills people in East Coast Mountains. They fly
> lower and lower to get under a cloud deck and don't see the mountain
> they are flying into. Set your personal minimums for the trip and
> stick to them and you'll be fine.
>
> Convection - As the day progresses the thermals will really pick up
> over each mountain ridge. This makes it bumpy. Small clouds build
> throughout the day from these thermals and can form thunderstorms by
> afternoon if the conditions are right. If you can plan your flight in
> the morning after the fog burns off but before it heats up, you'll
> have the smoothest ride. Alternately, plan a high altitude to get out
> of the thermals. This may not be possible though due to cloud
> coverage though if you are flying under sport rules.
>
> Remember too that ATC has limited radar in the mountains. I typically
> end up speaking to Center a good deal on my trip out to OSH every year
> since there often is no Approach in the mountains. Center's radar is
> not set up for low flying aircraft. Just another reason to fly high.
>
> Also remember you emergency landing spots are very limited. Flying
> high, getting flight following, and carrying a 406 beacon are all good
> ideas when crossing the mountains for this reason.
>
> Have a good flight!
>
> Helen
>
> On 5/21/2010 10:08 PM, Bill wrote:
> > I'm considering flying to Gatlinberg TN next month over some pretty tall
rocks. Does anybody here have any experience with mountain flying in a light
sports plane? (Mine isn't technically a LSA, but at 1600 pounds it gets tossed
around just about as much.) It's way too far out to get any kind of weather
outlook, but in general do you think an early morning crossing would be the
best. If I start at Anderson SC (KAND) it's only about an hour to get to Gatlin
berg (KGKT) and I'd plan to cross at 8500 feet. Any input would be appreciated.
(I'll only go if its VFR.) Thanks.
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
------- End of Original Message -------

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