Nose 2 Nose Over The WhiteInyo Range The

Nose 2 Nose Over The White-Inyo Range • The Airspace • The Risks • A Solution February 2001 Robert L. Semans (SE) John O. Graybill (SKY) 1

The Airspace. . . The White-Inyo Range l 5 nm North Boundary Peak l 5 nm South Cerro Gordo Peak l Variable Width February 2001 Ø All Foothills West & East Ø Areas of Expected Lift Ø Valley Floors To Skirt Over Development 2

The Risks. . . Head-On High-Speed Mid-Air Collision l Bands of Narrow Strong Lift l Concentrated High-Speed Glider Traffic l 20 to 30 Northbound Gliders l 5 to 12 Southbound Gliders l High Cruise to Circle Ratio l Potential Closing Rate of 300 mph! February 2001 3

The Risks . . . continued . . . Head-On High-Speed Mid-Air Collision l 300 mph = 12 seconds per mile l Very Small Head-On Profile l Hard To See White On White l Negligible Angular Displacement l Probably Not Looking Enough To See February 2001 4

The Risks . . . continued . . . Head-On High-Speed Mid-Air Collision l Bail-Out Prospects Are Very Poor l We’re Not Talking Bumps & Scrapes l Explosive Impact l Radical Modification of Your Glider l Kinetic Energy Varies With Square of Speed l Death Likely February 2001 5

A Solution. . . A Formal Collision Avoidance Procedure l Let’s Not Wait For Death To Visit Us l Discipline Can Hold Death At Bay l Safety Can Be Improved With Ø More Definition Ø Widespread Publication & Education Ø Universal Use February 2001 6

A Solution . . . continued . . . “Procedure Alpha” -- 3 Parts 1. Use The Bishop Altimeter (ASOS 119. 025) 2. Using 123. 5, and a Prescribed Format, Report Position Relative To 6 Agreed Upon Reference Points 3. Directly Negotiate Your Own Collision Avoidance With Nearby Gliders February 2001 7

A Solution . . . continued . . . Six Reference Points 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. February 2001 Boundary Peak White Mountain Peak Schulman Grove Intersection Waucoba Mountain Mount Inyo Cerro Gordo Peak 8

A Solution February 2001 . . . continued 9

A Solution . . . Continued The Inyo Range Cerro Gordo Pk Mt. Inyo Schulman Grove Waucoba Mtn Independence Lone Pine February 2001 10

A Solution Boundary Pk . . . Continued White Mtn Pk The White Mtn. Range Schulman Grove Waucoba Mtn Bishop February 2001 11

A Solution . . . Cont. The White Mtn. Corridor Boundary Pk White Mt Pk Bishop Schulman Grove Waucoba Mtn Independence Mt Inyo Lone Pine Cerro Gordo Pk February 2001 12

Procedure Alpha Part 1. . . Altitude Separation l Use The Bishop Altimeter (ASOS 119. 025) l Common Reference Pressure Is Essential l North & South Pressures Could Be Very Different February 2001 13

Procedure Alpha Part 2 . . . continued . . . Make Disciplined Position Reports l Always When Within 2 – 3 nm of the Airspace l Only When Cruising. . . or l Just As You Start To Cruise l Always Over, or Near A Reference Point February 2001 14

Procedure Alpha Part 2 . . . continued . . . Format For Position Reports 1. Who You Are Calling (“White Mountain Traffic”) 2. Your Contest Number (Or Other Call Sign) 3. Your Direction of Flight (“Northbound” or “Southbound”) 4. Your Altitude 5. Your Position (Over or Near a Reference Point) 6. Your Direction of Flight (“Northbound” or “Southbound”) February 2001 15

Procedure Alpha Part 2 . . . continued . . . Example Position Reports l Northbound: “White Mountain traffic, sky northbound, two point six miles north Mount Inyo, one six thousand four hundred, northbound” l Southbound: " White Mountain traffic, sierra echo southbound, three miles west of Waucoba Mountain, one seven thousand, six hundred, southbound” February 2001 16

Procedure Alpha Part 3. . . No Hit Negotiations l l Call Directly When Close Danger!! Ø Ø Ø l Altitude Within 1, 000 Ft Very Close Positions No Visual Contact Someone Must Change Altitude Ø Ø Ø February 2001 By Agreement Quickly Carefully 17

No Guarantees – Be Careful. . . Things That Can Hurt You l l l “At the root of every human catastrophe is at least one invalid assumption. ” Non-glider traffic … Powered Aircraft & Hang Gliders on other frequencies Gliders with radio failures … or low batteries Glider pilots who are ignorant of the procedure … or who are reluctant to speak English February 2001 18

No Guarantees – Be Careful. . . More Things That Can Hurt You l l l Pilots in competition who don’t want to disclose their position Candidates for the Darwin Award “Third Glider” Trap Don’t Assume: Who You See Is Who You’re Talking To February 2001 19

Things You Can Do . . . Reduce The Probability of Getting Up Close And Personal l l Broadcast Any UFO In The Airspace If You Are Higher, Gradually Slow Up. Be Careful With Big “Zoomies!” Stay Well Below Cloud Base! Spread Word About “Procedure Alpha” February 2001 20

To Soar Another Day February 2001 21