safe flying

[andrew416]

i dont wane sound like a pissy but after reading all the posts on the forum i do get a bit worried about my flying conditions and would like to get some expert advice on the following subjects.1-flying next to a mountain.my runway runs parralel with a big mountain range,the mountain is about 6000' high and my runway is approx.3 miles from it.mountain lies from east to west and the wind normaly blows from easterly direction.what should i look out for in this sort of situation.2.getting an enjin out at 500feet agl over bushveld terrein lots of big trees no open spaces to land.how do you land safely in this type of area.

[andrew416]

flying a trike!

[Tumbleweed]

I'm certainly no expert but I would remain cautious about enough height if the wind is coming off the mountains. Imagine the air being water and the obvious skommel as it flows over the other side.

AS you approach that turbulance it's going to suddenly suck you down without much warning.

Read more on mountain turbulance, sufficient height clearance and flying on the leeside.

[nicow]

Get yourself a BRS(ballistic parachute) on your trike-thats the best way to land between trees...

[andrew416]

thanks for your input nico.obviously the brs will be the easyiest way out but if you dont have the 20k to install the brs you have to make another plan.people tell me that you can stall the trike just above the trees,this is probably the only way but how do you go about to achieve this menouver.i suppose when your enjin cuts at 500'agl you will fly with the bar in neutral position to come down with low airspeed but then you wont be able to flair out to stall the trike.maybe there are people who has done this before who can shine some more light on this.

[nicow]

To stall a trike at 38mph over trees,can still cost you your life!

[Ranger]

Hi. Some of us who regularly fly over the Western Cape mountain ranges have gained a bit of experience in some or other way and in my case the hard way having connected mother earth after flying into a mountain rotor. A basic rule of thumb is to cross a mountain at least 1 and a half times the height of the highest peak in the area and to remember that rotors caused by strong winds can upset your day even far away from the mountain. Approach the moutain at 45 degrees which will give you room to turn away and climb to a higher altitude to try again if a downdraught is felt. Downdraughts on the lee side of the mountain can be as much as 3000 ft/m and no microlight will outclimb that. If you are lucky to make it into groung effect in one piece that is where it will keep you and with no fences or obstacles in your way you can try fly away. If there are no fences or obstacles you might as well land. In a valley stick to the windward side of a mountain. There will be some lift there. As for landing in bush and trees there is no correct way. Try and aim btween two trees or bushes sothat the aircraft takes the impact and breaks your speed. Only birds can stall and land in trees not microlights. That will kill you and is less controlled than aiming to land between trees. Fly the aircraft into the crash until it stops. This is what i would do and if it doesn't work for you or you disagree don't shoot me. Look at this site http://www.experimentalaircraft.info/fl ... ying-3.php . Th

[nicow]

Thanks Ranger.

[Blue Max]

Hi,
n ou kan lelik bang gepraat word op die forum.
My ondervinding op die plaas in Marble hall distrik en ek merk ook hier in Benonie waar ek langs Oliver Tambo lughawe woon is dat die heersende winde meestal van die noorde kom. (NW,NE.)
Dit is nie anders by Louis Trichard nie.
As jy suid van die berge opstyg sal jy meeste van die tyd onderwerpe wees aan n Downdraft.
Ek sou as ek jy was slegs in geen of min wind sittuasie opstyg. Dit behoort jou windkous vir jou te vertel.
Ons almal wie trikes het vlieg gereeld oor berge en baie keer tussen berge..
Jy gaan gou aan die plaaslike omstandighede gewoond raak.
Vat dit rustig in die begin.

[andrew416]

dankie julle ek waardeer.jy sien blue max, my runway is aan die noorde kant van die berg en hier kom die wind 99 % van die tyd uit die suid ooste.so ek reken die wind moet minder as 10knots waai voor ek dink aan opstyg.dis maar al hoe mens regtig leer om jou eie ervaring op te bou.

[Ranger]

It's as Blue Max says. Get used to the local conditions. Take note of cloud formations, wind directions, wind speeds and so forth and you will soon learn to read the weather. Safe flying.

[John Young]

Hi,

If it hasn't been said already, never fly low level up a valley.

Regards
John N????

[nicow]

Thanks John.