Mt Washington Diamond Mine delivers again...

On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 12:02:23 PM UTC-4, wrote:
Did the wave camp have a special waiver allowing flights above FL280[sic] and into RVSM airspace?

The wave window was open to FL350 yesterday, and most of that got used! Sadly, I was at work...

There exists a letter of agreement which spells out the operating parameters and procedures. It's worked very well. The airspace made available is a 10 NM radius cylinder centered on a point roughly coincident with the Mt Wash primary.

Typically, we'll ask for FL260 to start, and if pilots get close to the ceiling, we'll ask for more.

The air we want to be in is not something you want to fly a 767 through at speed anyway....

T8

On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 9:02:23 AM UTC-7, wrote:
Did the wave camp have a special waiver allowing flights above FL280 and into RVSM airspace?


Technically, the window operation IS a waiver from RVSM and other IFR/equipment/certification rules.

Many wave windows are not concerned with RVSM requirements. Since the window excludes the machinery that seek and use RVSM separations, the machines/gliders inside the Window (or column) are operating VFR separations between window participants (glider to glider, See and Avoid).

Most wave windows are tailored in lateral boundaries to minimize impacts on IR routes and commercial air traffic. The integration of wave columnar airspace and lateral jetways can happen in real time, depending on the requirements of the window "contract" or Letter of Agreement (LOA).

Sometimes glider use is "capped" temporarily to allow an IFR overhead transition. Ie., Glider Two Four Xray remain below FL 240. Later a clearance to climb at will can be issued. I have personally received inquiries by ATC to confirm if I can "remain above FL XX for XX minutes" while a transition occurs below me.

Sometimes windows are segmented laterally like stepping stones to allow XC work by gliders to move along the ridgeline, and allow IFR traffic to transition an area ahead or behind the XC Flight Levels glider(s).

There is tremendous diversity in various wave windows, allowing recreational pilots access to Flight Levels. The important thing to remember is that the LOA is a contract between users and the FAA. Failure to adhere to terms of use could result enforcement action individually and in loss of privileges to future pilots. It is the User's responsibility to know how to comply....get a good briefing.

Fly safely,

Cindy B
SSA Government Liaison, Airspace

On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 6:26:17 AM UTC-4, Giaco wrote:
3 New Diamonds and Lennie #1's at the Mt. Washington Wave camp yesterday.
Potentially a new state record as well, but verifying the logs.

Tows were as low as 2K, with highest climb in the 32K range
https://www.onlinecontest.org/olc-3....C0&sc=&sp=2019

To answer the specific question about Mt. Washington, yes, we work very closely with both the Boston Center controller, as well as the NORAD Eastern Air Defense Sector and the National Guard, as we are flying inside of a MOA/ARTCC as well. We have very rarely (recently) been locked out from using the airspace on a given day, or limited to FLXXX, but have at times had to wait for the military folk to finish their training before going over 18. The FAA and NORAD folks have been very accommodating and appreciate hearing the updates when we make good use of everything we are given.

G7

Cindy:
That is interesting, but wouldn't ATC want to divert high speed traffic away from the area below the glider in wave? That's a pretty big speed bump to hit at 500kts.
ROY

I was told that they gave us an additional 10k and extended the window to 45k as guys were climbing.

DC

On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 4:47:59 PM UTC-7, Roy B. wrote:
Cindy:
That is interesting, but wouldn't ATC want to divert high speed traffic away from the area below the glider in wave? That's a pretty big speed bump to hit at 500kts.
ROY

Usually the glider folk were wanting the windows on weekends. In our case, the airspace was often not (for a few hours) Dept of Defense use - it was released for civil use - so airliners wanted to go Direct... and save a ton of fuel. They're only running ~300 kts. And what's a little oscillation in cruise alt to a Boeing?

I am guessing that there is small enough pressure change in the peak and valley of the wave that the transponder reports to ATC don't show any alt deviation. And the autothrottles are doing their best to mitigate. Combine that with the 100' increment of transponder 'accuracy' and the local ATC boys being pretty well versed in the local weather phenomena. No one gets too upset, literally and figuratively.

The FLXXX cruise alts locally are mostly Above the rotor layer that lies under the wave apogee. Yes, there might be the "little buzz" in the upper transition trough - windward of the primary, but I have seldom encountered it. Even when wanting to run a level altitude and using that location.

The "local" ATC facility is darn well trained, and their primary mandate from the facility supervisor (who I had taken wave soaring) was " make it work for the most participants" == a helluva great outlook. Hence, if we could stay predictable at a block FL assignment, an airliner would run under us.

This was after we had established a track record of predictability and compliance. Keeping a clean record with ATC can be morphed into more privileges over time.

Soar safely,

Cindy B

On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 3:26:17 AM UTC-7, Giaco wrote:
3 New Diamonds and Lennie #1's at the Mt. Washington Wave camp yesterday.
Potentially a new state record as well, but verifying the logs.

Tows were as low as 2K, with highest climb in the 32K range
https://www.onlinecontest.org/olc-3....C0&sc=&sp=2019

Sounds like a stellar camp.
30k climbs without a thousand dollar tow?
Jim

Quick Video from the initial climb on Tuesday

Best part is the the peak foliage down the valley!

https://youtu.be/3Z5VYfmTbv4?

Mike's post brings back some good old memories. I soloed at North Conway back in 1973 before the airport became a shopping center & condo. It was right next to the little ridge that was the Mt. Cranmore ski area. Alan MacNicol (who organized the early wave camps) said it was like a "filter": If you could figure out how to jump from the little ridge, to the Mt. Kearsarge ridge, to the secondary wave and then to the primary wave - then you were qualified to be in that big wave. If you couldn't - you didn't belong there. One year (maybe '76) we flew out of Glen NH - but that site did not last long.
ROY

On Monday, October 15, 2018 at 11:39:04 AM UTC-4, Roy B. wrote:
Mike's post brings back some good old memories.

Yup, brings back some good memories:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_...(New_Hampshire)
Became a shopping mall 25 years ago now.

...If you could figure out how to jump from the little ridge, to the
Mt. Kearsarge ridge, to the secondary wave and then to the primary wave
- then you were qualified to be in that big wave.

I recall it took quite a few steps from the ridge to the primary. Lots of fun!
I also remember that early tows to the primary had gone,
shall we say, not so well...

See ya, Dave