wave soaring from Byron Ramy Yanetz February 2012
wave soaring from Byron Ramy Yanetz February 2012
Byron Wave Byron wave season Nov-March Ø Pre frontal wave is best during the hours before the onset of rain with increasing SW winds. Ø Pre Frontal Wave can be found anywhere between Byron and Los Vaqueros reservoir Ø Often marked with Lenticular clouds or foehn gaps Ø Pre frontal wave can be over wide area between Mt Diablo to Mt Oso along the mountain range Ø
Diablo North wind Wave Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Usually during high pressure off shore events from Nov – March Requires NNW-NE winds above 20 knots aloft Usually not marked by clouds Wave is typically weak (1 -2 knots) Very small area (1 square mile) between Wave 1 and Class Bravo Use your trace to stay in the sweet spot. move over class bravo if necessary when above 10 K. Typical altitude 12 -18 K Due to significant sink surrounding the wave it is crucial to tow all the way to the wave. Wave 1 waypoint in the database: 37: 50. 85 N, 121: 54. 43 W, 1000 F
Los Vaqueros North Wind Wave Ø Closer than Mt Diablo Ø More room - further from class bravo Ø Move towards Mt Diablo wave and over class bravo if necessary when above 10 K. Ø Wave 3 waypoint in the database 37: 47: 33 N, 121: 50: 38 W, 762 F
Wave locations
How to recognize good wave day Look for pre frontal conditions or off shore events Check NAM Blipmap for winds above 15 knots from North or SW (Ignore all thermal related parameters) Ø Check RASP wave parameters, especially the 750 m model (available late in the prior evening) Ø Check the vertical velocities and the Mt Diablo Cross section. Ø Should be over 100 cm/s (2 knots) for a usable wave. Ø Check wind on top of Mt Diablo online or phone. Look for north or SW wind above 20 knots Ø Check the soundings Ø Ø
Airspace Considerations Ø Use your moving map to stay outside of class bravo until above 10, 000 feet Ø Make sure you can stay above the ceiling even if encountering strong sink Ø Transponder is crucial near Mt Diablo and over class bravo Ø Contact Norcal Approach at 125. 35 for permission to enter lass bravo or to alert them of your presence near class bravo
Oxygen Considerations Ø O 2 is required above 14, 000 feet Ø Up to 30 minutes above 12, 500 without O 2
XC in wave Ø In systematic wave such as pre frontal wave you can go long way perpendicular to the wind (from Mt Diablo to Mt Oso and further) Ø In North wind wave, you can go directly downwind (or up wind) to the next wave bar Ø Look for additional wave bars downwind of SW facing mountains
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