It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Ventana, have you run into any strong wind gusts and down drafts out there?
 
I was stationed at Cheyenne Mountain Complex in the 1980's. I used to go trout fishing in Eleven mile reservoir at rocking Chair point, on a very regular basis. .
It wasn't but a short trip on over to Salida using 24.
Beautiful country out there.
 
Ventana, have you run into any strong wind gusts and down drafts out there?
Yes this is not really a very good place for pilots- it's always super windy. We probably hit 20+ knots 5 days each week. While we all know gyros are great in the wind - not so much in this type of terrain. A wall of 14,000' mountains 9 miles from the airport and 1,500 fpm downdrafts are not uncommon.

We all generally try to fly first thing in the morning.
Rob
 
Someone asked about my camera mount. so here's a few pics. I'm thinking of trying some shots with a 360 degree camera which should look pretty great. I think that is what Henry uses for one of his camera angles.
 

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How are the down drafts reported or forecast Ventana? I always wondered how this is done. Thanks.
 
How are the down drafts reported or forecast Ventana? I always wondered how this is done. Thanks.
There is no forecasting for this. I suppose some pireps might mention it but that would be a one off situation. If you take a mountain flying course you will certainly learn about the conditions that make if favorable for this to happen and in any particular area the locals usually know the likely conditions and places it occurs. Most pilots have personal minimums for when they do or don't fly in the mountains.
 
Rob thanks for the pics of the Mount, how far out does it protrude from the side of the gyro? Loving those shots 👌
 
It protrudes about a meter but you see where I have the GoPro mount is not all the way at the end.

Rob
 
It protrudes about a meter but you see where I have the GoPro mount is not all the way at the end.

Rob
Thx Rob
I will do it and see how my pics come out, appreciate your help 👍
 
How are the down drafts reported or forecast Ventana? I always wondered how this is done. Thanks.
Check out skysight.io for excellent modelling and forecasting of vertical motion atmospheric behavior. Colorado glider pilots love it.
 
Check out skysight.io for excellent modelling and forecasting of vertical motion atmospheric behavior. Colorado glider pilots love it.
I can see how they model lifting and thermal conditions but does it actually show downdraft models?
rob
 
I can see how they model lifting and thermal conditions but does it actually show downdraft models?
rob
I'm an old school purist and don't use it (or even a glide computer) in my bird, but my understanding from club members is that you can see wave, convergence, and thermal lift along with where to expect the corresponding sink. I might get a subscription to use with my students for instruction.
 
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