Doug wrote:

I think there is a lesson here for all of us pilots. When in close
quarters, consider the wind. Even better allow DOUBLE (or some other
amount you are comfortable with) the turning room for a 180 degree turn
around. Also, go out and practice a "minimum radius turnaround" (hint,
generally the slower you go the smaller the radius, the steeper you go
the smaller the radius etc). We learn a chandelle in commercial
manuevers, which is not really a minimum radius turnaround. I wonder if
the FAA would consider modifying the chandelle to BECOME a minimum
radius turnaround manuever? At any rate, try and learn from these
pilots mistakes. I know I have been in some tight mountain canyons and
not really considered the effects of the wind as I probably should
have. I just looked and there was room so I executed the turn. So far I
have been served well by my eyes and distant estimates, but perhaps I
should allow a little more room for error if there is any signifigant
tailwind during the turn.


The nice thing about a chandelle in this circumstance is the altitude
that it would have gained them.

Matt