Wave soaring and other interesting things of winter flying in the Great Basin

[TTaylor]

I made a trip across the Great Basin this last week. As usual with almost every trip during the winter I get to hear the "VFR flight is not recommended" many times from FSS.  If I didn't fly when VFR flight is not recommended, I would never fly from November through May most years.  

An interesting observation is I mostly hear Bonanza's and Mooney's on the radio this time of year, actually most of the year across the Great Basin.  May be a function of the distances between much of anything.  

Approaching the Sierra Nevada mountains from the east at about 10,000 feet on Wednesday there was about a 30 knot headwind and a cloud cap on the top of the mountains and uncertain ceilings on the other side.   I decided being high was the best plan of action.  We turned on the Mountain High EDS oxygen system and I began looking to line up on several lines of lintecular clouds.  Running parallel to the leading edges it was nice to see the VSI swing to 500 up.  The secondary line about 20 miles behind the ridgeline took us to 15,000 feet.  I lined up on the primary between Bridgeport and Lee Vining and watched the VSI climb from 500, 600, 700, 800,  900 and finally topping out at 1000 feet per minute while cruising at 140 knots over the ground.  I topped out at 17,800 feet and could see clear skies in Central California so turned west along the south rim of Yosemite Valley.  My wife got to enjoy one of the best views of Yosemite you can imagine.  Nice to use the free lift of the Sierra wave to make the crossing much more comfortable. 

The return trip was much easier with a 20 knot tailwind.  Was nice to cruise at nearly 160 knots at 9 gph.  I still got the usual "VFR flight not recommended" from FSS as I opened my flight plan.  Most of the return flight was in clear skies and 100 mile visabilty.  

 

 

[N201MKTurbo]

I flew through there once with 70 Kt winds out of the west at 10,000.

Don't ever do that! It was the most extreme death defying turbulence I've ever been in! I caused mental problems to this day...

[garytex]

Most folks who successfully adventure work up to it stepwise, and have an old hand teach them the basic first steps and rules of the game. It's when we jump and find ourselves unexpectedly in over our heads that we wish we hadn't. That kind of flying sounds fun, but scary, and as a flat lander neophyte with no old hand around, not for me right now. 

That being said, gliders ride mountain waves for hundreds of miles, it would be really cool to use them on our trips. Even 200 fpm would be good for 20 - 30 mph, wouldn't it?

Any old hands out there care to share the basics?

Thanks, Gary

 

[carl]

3 hours ago, TTaylor said:

Great Basin

Where is this great basin ? just the rough location, I do know yosemite.

 

are you a glider pilot too?

 

[TTaylor]

Carl,

The Great Basin is the area roughly bounded by the Sierra on the west, Wasatch mountains on the east, the Snake river plain on the north and the Colorado River on the south.  It is mostly mountainous and very low population. 

I am also a glider pilot. I have spent thousands of hours flying mostly in California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. The skills of soaring are useful when flying Mooney's.  It helps me to use the lift to increase speed or altitude and also to recognize how to keep myself out of trouble at times.

Tim

Edited March 13, 2016 by TTaylor