carl Posted March 30, 2015 Report Posted March 30, 2015 Hello, Sunday looked to be a perfect flying day for a trip from Altoona AOO to Clarion AXO for lunch with my son. Clear , temperature around 40 F at noon and warming up. Winds out of the Southwest (230) at about 5 kt with some gusts ( runway 21). A soon as I left the ground it was bumpy and up to 5000 cruise altitude it was still bumpy. My tablet on the copilot seat did not get knocked around, but I though I should stay slower than 140 MPH. Over the ridges there was a 500 fpm updraft and a corresponding downdraft on the other side. I did expected that. I wonder if anyone was flying around here and what your views of the weather were... .( it really wasn't bumpy , you are just a chicken Etc) Or was it winds aloft, or thermals ? Gas was $4.90 at AXO , so I got some (17 gal), added weight didn't make any difference. Carl Quote
chrisk Posted March 30, 2015 Report Posted March 30, 2015 I saw similar behavior about 2 weeks ago flying from KDMW. At 5000, the winds were out of the northwest (~300) at 60 kts. Traveling the line between VA and WVA, I had to play with the power to maintain altitude. The ridges definitely create some up and down drafts. 1 Quote
Seth Posted March 30, 2015 Report Posted March 30, 2015 Mountain waves are actually common to the mid Atlantic area due to the Appalachian mountains and Blue Ridge. Nothing like out west, but you will notice it at times. -Seth Quote
Shadrach Posted March 31, 2015 Report Posted March 31, 2015 I departed from HGR around 10:45, it was still quite cold (-2C) when we got to the airport. Quite choppy down low, pretty reasonable from 4500 on up. 2W2 has the cheapest gas in my area at $4.59. I'll be heading there this weekend. Quote
carl Posted March 31, 2015 Author Report Posted March 31, 2015 a forcast for this coming sunday ..... clear 14 winds gusting 44 . maybe thats wrong. 2w2looks scary Quote
Shadrach Posted March 31, 2015 Report Posted March 31, 2015 The forecast for Sunday here is 7G13. I'll likely avoid 2W2 unless they're aligned with the runway. It a great little strip with a fantastic pilot shop. There is a C model based there. One should be on their "A" game when going in there. The last time I landed there, one of the locals showed me the photo attached photo. That little white bit is the top of the tail of a Mooney that went off the end of 32 and down the ravine about 100 feet. I have more detailed pics, but it's not my business to post them. Local lore has it that aircraft was winched out by the mains and that 2 mechanics were unable to find any damage so it flew home uneventfully. All of the above being said 2W2 is not scary but it is challenging. Knowing the correct approach speed and mantaining it is key. Quote
rhoabr Posted March 31, 2015 Report Posted March 31, 2015 I think you took off about 5 min in front of me from AOO. I went south to JYO and was smooth after the first ridge. See you next Sunday! Quote
carl Posted March 31, 2015 Author Report Posted March 31, 2015 hello , yes I am at Altoona AOO, hanger 18 stop by anytime. When it warms up I plan on being out there more. carl Quote
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