Avoiding gliders

dhb wrote:

Where?
In the US cloud flying would be highly unlikely.

Central New Jersey, just north of Solberg. I haven't seen it for a while,
but the glider operation in that area moved some years ago.

George Patterson
The optimist feels that we live in the best of all possible worlds. The
pessimist is afraid that he's correct.
James Branch Cavel

"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message
In the US cloud flying would be highly unlikely.

Central New Jersey, just north of Solberg. I haven't seen it for a while,
but the glider operation in that area moved some years ago.

I used to fly in that area including a few times at Solberg. Very, very few
gliders flown there have anything beyond a whiskey compass and a yaw string
for cloud flying. Though it is possible to cloud fly with such equipment, I
never heard a NJ glider pilot talk about it around the keg.

Having said that, I'm sure someone at sometime has done some glider cloud
flying in NJ. And there's no question that a building Tstorm is a great
source of lift.

But of course, power pilots avoid flying into building Tstorms.

And it is sometimes possible to climb up the side of a cumulous cloud.

I would still suggest that flying above cloud base is an effective way to
avoid glider activity here in the states.

"Maule Driver" wrote:

I used to fly in that area including a few times at Solberg.
Though it is possible to cloud fly with such equipment, I
never heard a NJ glider pilot talk about it around the keg.

NJ is pretty active for gliders. There's a circular race
course surrounding Allentown, NJ and another from
Blairstown (Del. Water Gap) to Wurtsboro/Middletown NY. On
any good weekend there will be 6-12 gliders racing on those
courses.

I would still suggest that flying above cloud base is an effective way to
avoid glider activity here in the states.

I agree. The majority of time gliders will be within 2500'
below the cumulus clouds or close to a marked gliderport
(U.S. sectional). The exception is on strong windy days,
when they may climb in front of the clouds, or find a wave.
Todd Pattist
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)
___
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I was really glad to hear that the weekend racing has caught on. Some years
ago, I took a shot at it by organizing the "Task du Jour" out of
Blairstown. I think Eric ____ ran with the idea for awhile. Sounds like a
very successful program is running now.

If I was NJ, I'd probably still be flying gliders. A great flying
community.

"Todd Pattist" wrote in message
...
"Maule Driver" wrote:

I used to fly in that area including a few times at Solberg.
Though it is possible to cloud fly with such equipment, I
never heard a NJ glider pilot talk about it around the keg.

NJ is pretty active for gliders. There's a circular race
course surrounding Allentown, NJ and another from
Blairstown (Del. Water Gap) to Wurtsboro/Middletown NY. On
any good weekend there will be 6-12 gliders racing on those
courses.

I would still suggest that flying above cloud base is an effective way to
avoid glider activity here in the states.

I agree. The majority of time gliders will be within 2500'
below the cumulus clouds or close to a marked gliderport
(U.S. sectional). The exception is on strong windy days,
when they may climb in front of the clouds, or find a wave.
Todd Pattist
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)
___
Make a commitment to learn something from every flight.
Share what you learn.

Here in the western US, there are tons of gliders getting ridge lift in the
late afternoons. They go darn high also. Someone told me up to FL300.

Last week we were saw a ton of them coming into Minden, NV.

What you are referring to is wave lift or lee mountain wave. While it can
be found in various locations around the US it is not that common because it
generally takes 1) a mountain and 2) specific wind conditions. (Ridge lift
is also generated by a mountain or ridgle line and a perpindicular wind but
the best ridge lift is found at tree top heights. Very little conflict with
most power traffic most of the time.)

I've flown Minden. They have exceptional wave conditions - some of the best
in the US. When gliders go into Class A, they need a clearance (wave
window) so there is separation services for IFR traffic. Thermal conditions
in the Sierras frequently reach the 15 - 18 thousand foot levels and wave
conditions easily reach those heights and above. So while flying above the
lift will still work, it's not real practical for most light a/c. Clear
skies enable see and avoid and the advice to stay away from the bases of
large Cu still applies.

I don't have a lot of time in the Sierras but there is a bit of natural
separation that tends to take place. Below mountain top heights, the
gliders tend to fly up against and directly over the mountain peaks (best
lift). The power traffic tends towards the valleys and passes. Power
traffic is usually trying to avoid the 'turbulence' that gliders are seeking
out. Gotta look out for dyed in the wool glider guys in powered a/c who
can't stand to pass up all those energy sources..
"JerryK" wrote in message
...
Here in the western US, there are tons of gliders getting ridge lift in
the
late afternoons. They go darn high also. Someone told me up to FL300.

Last week we were saw a ton of them coming into Minden, NV.

From:

Where?
In the US cloud flying would be highly unlikely.

I never flew a sailplane up into a cloud---had a few drop down around
me---hahahaha---Mac