Visual Mountain Wave

[counsellj]

For those that have never seen it before, this is what mountain wave looks like. This was taken just east of Salt Lake City, Utah this morning. I was a 36,000 feet and I think the clouds were probably down near 25,000. Needless to say, nobody was flying through this area to verify. These waves are easily 1,000' tall and the vertical development over a short distance indicates this would be SEVERE!

Note the clouds farthest away.

[cessna170bdriver]

http://cessna170.org/forums/viewtopic.p ... lenticular

[canav8]

Jughead, it is also worth mentioning that there are many examples of wave including clear air wave. Many glider pilots play in the wave including myself. It is very safe as long as you are educated.Wave is not your issue when operating around this area. More importantly is the phoen gap and the relative humidity during vfr operations. Doug

[counsellj]

Canav8

You are very correct that flying near waves, with the understanding that glider pilots that play in them possess can safely be done. But unfortunately at high Mach speeds in big airplanes with FA and Passengers in the back, it's not nearly as nice. Out big problem with wave is when crossing them at high angles, which we do a lot, it is very very easy to overspeed the jet. That and quite often we can't maintain altitude and remain on speed, due to deviations both high and low. I would love to experience wave soaring someday in a high performance glider. I'll bring my long johns and gloves if you are offering.

Merry Christmas

Jughead

[canav8]

Canav8

You are very correct that flying near waves, with the understanding that glider pilots that play in them possess can safely be done. But unfortunately at high Mach speeds in big airplanes with FA and Passengers in the back, it's not nearly as nice. Out big problem with wave is when crossing them at high angles, which we do a lot, it is very very easy to overspeed the jet. That and quite often we can't maintain altitude and remain on speed, due to deviations both high and low. I would love to experience wave soaring someday in a high performance glider. I'll bring my long johns and gloves if you are offering.

Merry Christmas

Jughead

Agreed, Wave is always an adventure in my 767. Just wish my employer would stop encouraging me to deploy spoilers at 39K to stay below Vmo/Mmo in wave rather then throttles to idle. Bad technique.