On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 20:45:26 -0600, "Highflyer" wrote:


"Grumman-581" wrote in message
. ..
On Thu, 16 Nov 2006 20:13:14 -0700, Newps wrote:
As long as you clear them it doesn't matter how high. Safety depends on
the weather. I have skimmed over and thru the mountains at 50-100 agl
on nice calm days.

I prefer a bit more air underneath me than that considering the anemic
climb rate of my aircraft at altitude... When I flew to the Grand Canyon a
few years back, I encountered 2000 fpm updrafts... That was *great*... I
talked with some of the charter pilots around there about it and soon
learned that you can also encounter 2000 fpm downdrafts... That would
*not* be great...



I have indeed encountered both updrafts and downdrafts at rates greater than
2000 fpm and at altitudes over 10,000 feet msl. Most GA piston aircraft do
not have a great deal of reserve at those altitudes. As a result you can

What do you mean at those altitudes? *MOST* piston engined singles
and twins dont have that kind of reserve at seal level!
snip
Colorado: The only state where I flew more vertical distance crossing
the state than horizontal. Kanasas: The only state I've flown across
where my ground speed was about 50% greater than Vne while the
airspeed was below Va.

Highflyer
Highflight Aviation Services
Pinckneyville Airport ( PJY )

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com