Can you really get 8kts of sink at 200ft? Where is the air going, into the
ground?


Having experienced two in-pattern microbursts, I'd say, "Yes, indeed!" to Q1.

As to Q2, as soon as I finish interviewing the bugs on my leading edges and
car windshield, I'll post the interview on YouTube. :-)

Bob W.

P.S. Putting my More Seriously Hat, elsewhere in this thread someone else
pointed out the relative uselessness of L/D in patterns when "real sink" was
an issue. Thoughtful pilots will agree. Maybe this is more of a "routine
issue" in (say) the western U.S. than elsewhere in the country, but I have my
doubts when it comes to (e.g.) wavish pattern conditions (e.g. Cumberland, MD;
Petersburg, WV).