George Patterson wrote:
From what I've read, I think the "book" answer is to maintain attitude control
as well as possible, don't worry about altitude excursions much, and try to
get out of it. I've read differing opinions on the best way to accomplish the
latter; some people like a 180 and others say that the shortest way out may be
straight ahead. Communication with ATC also has to be fit in there somewhere.


Don't worry about altitude excursions *at all*. My father told me about
crossing the Sea of Japan and getting caught in a thunderstorm. Upon being
querried by the copilot, he told him: "Don't worry everybody is in the same
updraft". That may or may not be true but more aircraft are bent by
overstressing than by collision. I've been at idle with the nose pointing
downhill and been climbing at a rate that pegged the VSI upward. I chose to let
the altitude go. Talking to ATC is a low priority compared to keeping the wings
level. That is your primary concern... wings level.

I'm a believer in the straight ahead method unless you have a reason not to.
Remember, thunderstorms are shaped like a "V" with the narrowest point down low.
Sometimes ATC will swear there's a huge area in front of you when in fact there
are numerous holes... down low. I prefer to fly underneath if at all possible.
With embedded storms, that isn't possible. You take what you get and hope you
get spit out on the other side intact.

They are *very* scary.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE