Thx for pointing this out. For the scenarios described – i.e. turn radius larger than half of the canyon width – that strategy makes sense.
I believe this interpretation by @Supersonic is correct
Hoover and Imeson go into some detail on the judgment call on which side of a canyon valley to fly
It’s not a binary one size fits all
RobertL18C wrote:
judgment call on which side of a canyon valley to fly
I also think EU and definitely French mountain flying convention is RH side in the absense of other overriding factor. Such convention does not seem to exist in the US
I guess that‘s more an informal convention, especially in Switzerland, where most of the VFR flying involves „canyon“ flying in any case.
My german instructor, a very experienced ex-fighter- and sailplane-pilot, taught me to fly on the upwind side.
If there is no such side, right hand is certainly the logical choice. But days without „overriding factors“ are scarce…
Obviously there are only few „hard rules“ in mountain flying. Like somebody else in the Simplon accident thread pointed out it is more about smart decision making. And consideration of trade-offs in that case.
I have a feeling that there is confusion in this thread about up*wind* and up*draft*.
172driver wrote:
I have a feeling that there is confusion in this thread about up*wind* and up*draft*.
I guess your feeling is correct
In German “updraft” means “Aufwind”. So it’s easy for us to translate it into “upwind” (“up” = “auf”).
Thx!
Supersonic wrote:
I guess that‘s more an informal convention, especially in Switzerland, where most of the VFR flying involves „canyon“ flying in any case.My german instructor, a very experienced ex-fighter- and sailplane-pilot, taught me to fly on the upwind side.
If there is no such side, right hand is certainly the logical choice. But days without „overriding factors“ are scarce…
In Switzerland we fly on the right side, unless conditions permit.
One important item, in my opinion, is to fly slow. Especially when the airplane is a fast traveller. There is no need to bomb down a valley at high airspeeds, because it minimizes reaction time, and turn radius dramatically, especially at high DAs. 20 kts IAS difference can make 500m or more difference in radius.
True, but speed can also be converted into much needed altitude.
aart wrote:
True, but speed can also be converted into much needed altitude.
In a fighter jet, yes. Not in an Arrow. Look at the picture above. Think pulling might have saved him ? Don’t think so.