27 crash at Ely?

Ridge rules to live by..........on my first pass on a ridge, I keep my speed up (65 knots, dry; 70 knots, wet) and I stay about 300 feet off the rocks, both vertically and laterally! Another rule that I try to follow is to be very careful anytime the wind is over 20 knots! There are days when I just wont get within 1000 feet of the ridge, but rules cant always be followed. Last year I made a run for Peterson ridge with a tail-wind of 25 knots. I got there about half way up the side and was rewarded with very turbulent lift. I flew figure-eights until I was 500 feet above the ridge, then I tried a 360 degree turn. As my circle passed the top of the ridge, I hit a tremendous bump and the ship was thrown completely vertical, nose down. Didn’t last long and I was flying again within a few seconds. The stick remained neutral throughout the incident. I think it was a shear line on the back side of the ridge. Came away thinking I should have figure-eight’d until I was 1000 feet above the ridge!
JJ

Mountain flying in glider many times is self taught, as in my case. Years ago as a low time young glider pilot in my first season of XC flying, I was on a safari flying out of Lone Pine in an ASW-24. I was thermalling in a ravine running up the side of the mountain. I was not flying figure eights, rather circles and suddenly I was picked up by the tail, nose pointing what looked straight down, but was still being pulled skyward. My only thought was "oh, that is how hang gliders get tumbled, glad I have tail feathers.." I recovered and continued my circling to get on top, never a thought about what really happened. I was too young, inexperienced and stupid to realize how the hand of fate gave me a break that day. Be careful, don't be afraid to ask questions and heed JJ's advice. On another flight that same week I was over West guard pass at 15,000 ft, when I thought I would fly under a cell to see what happened. I barely made straight in downwind landing at Bishop, 8 miles away. Get some training if you are going to fly the mountains!!! Then be careful and leave an out it is very unforgiving.

God bless Marek and his family. Condolences to all.

I am reading this and other related threads intensely.

I am a low time mountain pilot. Flying the Logan UT, mountain Soaring and OLC camp last August was my first mountain Soaring.

I was encouraged to fly dual with another more seasoned pilot, before flying on my own, which I did. We spent most of a day Soaring the area both flying off the mountains as well as valley thermals.

It was a great experience. I appreciated the opportunity to learn.

I'd like to do some more mountain dual. The USA mountain Soaring and OLC camp was a great experience. Where, in the U.S. can I get more of the same?

I think the only other actual mountain Soaring training in the U.S. is Minden?

I am interested in any additional mountain training or dual experience I can get as a fledgling cross country pilot.

Maybe there should be more mountain flying camps in the U.S. In certain areas of Europe mountain flying and training seems to be much more prevalent.

I continue to read these threads with great interest. I am setting very conservative mountain flying standards for myself.
Keep airspeed up.
Figure 8 only until well above the ridge
Be alert and ready for turbulence or upsets.
Listen to local knowledable pilots and seek their advice before flying.

Mike - 1M

It’s so alarming to see so many guys on YouTube flying super close to ridges at such low airspeeds.

On Friday, July 17, 2020 at 1:00:21 PM UTC-7, wrote:
It’s so alarming to see so many guys on YouTube flying super close to ridges at such low airspeeds.

Here is a cautionary tale:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfCh...UQXM5&index=11

On Friday, July 17, 2020 at 2:00:21 PM UTC-6, wrote:
It’s so alarming to see so many guys on YouTube flying super close to ridges at such low airspeeds.

Youtube Video's often border between deceptive and dangerous.

Pilots may be flying closer than they should. Might be why they are taking a video, or doing so for the video. Camera's do tend to make people do stupid things.

But also Camera's often make it look like they are closer than they really are. Inexperienced pilots watching these might think this is normal and what they should be doing.

Getting some time with and experienced pilot and experiencing it 1st hand so you can see what really is safe and what isn't is invaluable if not life saving.

Brian

On Friday, July 17, 2020 at 3:36:35 PM UTC-5, Brian wrote:
On Friday, July 17, 2020 at 2:00:21 PM UTC-6, wrote:
It’s so alarming to see so many guys on YouTube flying super close to ridges at such low airspeeds.
Youtube Video's often border between deceptive and dangerous.

Pilots may be flying closer than they should. Might be why they are taking a video, or doing so for the video. Camera's do tend to make people do stupid things.

But also Camera's often make it look like they are closer than they really are. Inexperienced pilots watching these might think this is normal and what they should be doing.

Getting some time with and experienced pilot and experiencing it 1st hand so you can see what really is safe and what isn't is invaluable if not life saving.

Brian

How about this looking close to the rocks (5:25)?
https://youtu.be/48P-Y1JF2K0

On Friday, July 17, 2020 at 8:39:35 AM UTC-7, Mike N. wrote:
God bless Marek and his family. Condolences to all.

I am reading this and other related threads intensely.

I am a low time mountain pilot. Flying the Logan UT, mountain Soaring and OLC camp last August was my first mountain Soaring.

I was encouraged to fly dual with another more seasoned pilot, before flying on my own, which I did. We spent most of a day Soaring the area both flying off the mountains as well as valley thermals.

It was a great experience. I appreciated the opportunity to learn.

I'd like to do some more mountain dual. The USA mountain Soaring and OLC camp was a great experience. Where, in the U.S. can I get more of the same?

I think the only other actual mountain Soaring training in the U.S. is Minden?

I am interested in any additional mountain training or dual experience I can get as a fledgling cross country pilot.

Maybe there should be more mountain flying camps in the U.S. In certain areas of Europe mountain flying and training seems to be much more prevalent..

I continue to read these threads with great interest. I am setting very conservative mountain flying standards for myself.
Keep airspeed up.
Figure 8 only until well above the ridge
Be alert and ready for turbulence or upsets.
Listen to local knowledable pilots and seek their advice before flying.

Mike - 1M

AirSailing north of Reno, Nv offers a Thermal and X-country Camp every year except for this one. It offers the mountain flying experience in local flights, where as Minden the ridge soaring is a bit far away on the Pine Nuts.. Both offer wave and the ability to begin long cross country flights over the Sierras and to The Whites. The Whites are particular dangerous that have claimed many lives in gliders and hang gliding over the years. Flying next to steep terrain is particularly filled with gotchas. I instruct in these areas and teach the closer to the rock you fly the faster you must fly for control reasons. Never make turns towards the ridge, always away. And lastly always have an escape plan, if **** happens. In Hawaii flying a 23 meter ASW 17, I have gone nearly inverted near Mtn. Kahala in the lee of a ridge. Lucky I had more than a 1000ft underneath me to recover.

On Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 8:45:45 AM UTC-6, Waveguru wrote:
Does anyone know if a 27 crashed in Ely recently?

Boggs

In the mountains you must be ready to hammer the rudder when you run out of aileron , If your not used to this maneuver best to practice it . Secondary effect of rudder

Hammer the rudder...now really??