IFR just 5.4% of the time

wrote:
Matt Whiting wrote:

If you are flying the minimum IFR altitudes, it still should not be a
problem, unless there is a chart error.

Matt, you have provided a great leadin to what I think got missed in
this discussion. Yes, flying the minimum IFR altitude is ok...
PROVIDED you can MAINTAIN that altitude.

One of the most insidious things about mountain flying is the wind!
You can be going DOWN (or UP) over 2000 FPM in the laminar flow and
not feel a thing! This can be a VERY BAD (TM) thing at night.

As you remember, in the mountains, the minimum IFR altitude is only
2000' above the highest terrain in the area. But, at 2000 FPM down,
you are at mountain top level in one minute.

4000 FPM down is not uncommon. Day or night!

I profess that until you are flying at over 18000 MSL, AND you can
overcome a 4000 FPM downdraft, IFR in the mountains should be
avoided.

Conversely, VFR in the mountains, day or night, if you choose your
route carefully, and the winds are less than 25 knots at mountain
top level and you and stay about 2000' above the canyon floor, you
are rarely out of gliding distance to a survivable landing spot.
Not an airport, but a survivable landing spot.

Yes, hence the M in MEA, MOCA, etc. It isn't necessarily a RECOMMENDED
altitude! :-)

Matt