Downdrafts are always balanced by updrafts over any meaningful distance.. In
any event, if there were significant downdrafts, it wouldn't make much
difference if the plane could climb 50fpm or sink 50fpm in still air.

Mike
MU-2


"Stefan" wrote in message
...
Mike Rapoport wrote:

If you were cruising along at the MEA and lost an engine, and the MEA was
5000' above the single engine service ceiling, it would take tens or
hundreds of miles to lose 2000' of altitude and impact terrain.

*If* there are no downdrafts. Remember, we're talking mountains.

Stefan