North Western Wyoming Yesterday

[chrisk]

I'm just curious if anyone else was flying in North Western Wyoming /  South Western Montana.   I left from Cody WY for a trip back to Texas.  Strong surface winds made me think more than twice about taking off.  Lots of turbulence.  And once of the strongest mountain waves I've been in. 

[kpaul]

19 minutes ago, chrisk said:

Strong surface winds made me think more than twice about taking off. 

I grew up and learned to fly in Western Montana and the mountains.  With surface winds like this there is no way I would be messing around going over the mountains.

[chrisk]

It's why I was wheels up at 10am, why I largely stayed mostly east of the mountains, and why I flew at 15,000 feet.  Surface winds were at my personal limits.  Unfortunately, there is not a strong black and white line for surface winds.  It's gray.  Different for all of us and every type of aircraft and location.   Its a good place for discussion and learning.   It made for a very high work load and not something I would have wanted to do at night or in IMC.  --As for the winds out of Cody, I'd estimate 20kts, gusts to 25kts.  The AWOS reported less and seemed suspect.

 

 

[chrisk]

Here are the winds history.  The night before was worse.  It claims 21 gusting to 41 mph.  Again, I'm not sure I believe it.  I've never been in wind before where I thought it might topple me.  It had to be stronger.  --That was easy, the plane was staying tied to the ground. 

[Joe Zuffoletto]

When flying in Wyoming, it's crucial to consult the local windsock.