Turbulence in a gyro

[Vertical Tango]

I would like to share with you an incident that occured to me yesterday while returning from Parys to Krugersdorp. After 10 years of flying in gyros, I must say most of the time in reasonable weather, I have never experienced such a massive "bump" as I did yesterday. All along the trip, there was always the occasional big lifts or downdrafts that last sometimes 30 secs. This one lasted only 1 sec. Although I wear a shoulder harness, my head managed to touch the ceiling and I ended up sideways almost on my wife, being a side-by-side machine. I immediately checked the rotor RPM and it continued as nothing had happened. I can imagine the jokes and comments that will come out of this story, but I would like to know from others if they ever encountered in a gyro such massive downdraft ?

[Tumbleweed]

That's why trikes don't have ceilings.

[Wargames]

That's why trikes don't have ceilings.

Thats why I don't have headaches!

[MPL Pilot]

Hi VT

I am busy with the gyro pilots license at the moment, haven’t had such an experience yet with the gyro. But had one with a trike a couple of years ago.
It was late morning, cloudy over Hartbeespoort dam, flying over the dam wall from the north. I thought it was a shock wave from blasting in the area. It was a scary experience!
First thing I checked was the flying wires and wing, all was well, and as you said, just kept flying like nothing happened, except of course the adrenaline rush.

[Alkemac]

mile high club ??

[Hadams]

Try that at 9500 feet, no hang bolt should that thin LOL

[Gyronaut]

Only saw Vertical Tango's post now for the first time...

I have been 'moered' badly on one or two occasions yes... Coming around the back of Devil's Peak with a North Westerly is always a challenge. Most notable "BAD" two were:
Once in the Ceres Karoo - approaching the mountains from the north east (leeward side) and being violently thrown around to the point that I did a precautionary landing at the first available opportunity and waited for the weather to pass. More recently in the Beaufort West area coming over the escarpment. The windshear/downdrafts were so violent that the fuel light flashed on and off as the fuel hit the top of the tank (30 litres in the tank at that point). Airspeed goes from 75 to 0 to 100 in an instant. VSI goes from +1500ft p/m to -1500ft p/m and back in a few seconds. Thats when you are very happy you have some altitude in the bank. yep, also banged my head against the window on the odd occasion. I find tightening the seat belts, concentrating on the airspeed and riding it out to the nearest safe landing spot is the best. In Beaufort West we landed at the Karoo Gateway Airfield/guest house, grounded ourselves with a drink and stayed over. As a matter of interest, the Rooivalk boys also landed there on that particular day complaining that their unscheduled stop was as a result of the unpleasant turbulence even they were battling with.

All I can say is Thank God I was in a gyro and not a small fixed wing.

I found that reducing power and adjusting attitude aggressively to correct the airspeed, once corrected smoothly adding power again works best for me.