high winds in Palm Spring

On 4/11/2007 3:34:24 AM, Blair wrote:

I will
continue to monitor conditions and talk to a briefer prior to making a
go/no go decision but I was wondering if anyone here has local
knowledge about the ramifications of this forecast.

If you haven't already, consider calling one of the flight schools there at
the PSP airport and ask for an instructor's opinion, too. Most there are
quite helpful.

As far as local experience, my father used to live in PSP so a few years ago
when visiting him I rented a C172 out of the Palm Springs Flight School and
had my checkout ride in some pretty stiff winds. The instructor and I flew up
to Big Bear Lake and then west towards LA, then back around through the
Banning Pass to land. I recall that it was turbulent through the pass, but
not out-of-control turbulence, so I had no trouble with it for my experience
at the time. Landing at Palm Springs airport in those winds required the same
gusty winds landing skills as other airports. I wouldn't want to fly over
those mountains in strong winds, mind you, but as they are 10 to 12 thousand
feet high it tends to not be an option for the typical light GA aircraft.

The answer to your question also depends on your passengers. If you are going
to be carrying passengers and they are inexperienced light GA passengers, it
would be wise to wait until the winds were not so strong.

--
Peter