Another Tech. Question

[vara5ab]

Recently I was flying IFR (I just recently got the instrument rating) and was flying in and out of clouds when I began to wonder at what point does turbulence become too much turbulence. Any ideas on this? When I entered the clouds I was being jolted around enough so that it was all I could do to hold the plane level and on altitude - pretty much nothing more than fly by the artificial horizon. I really don't think I could have flown like that for more than a few minutes at a time.
Any thoughts?

[N3322G]

As much as it pains me to throttle back at any time - with what you just described, it sounds like I would have been throttling back to 162 mph at gross or slower if lighter to help stabilize the plane. There's a placard on the Twin panel that covers this. I learned this watching my Mom, the previous owner.

In the Killough POH, it's on page 9-3 for the PA39 and described as V sub a - Design Maneuvering Speed/Turbulent Air Penetration Speed.

How do you know when to do this? Hmmm, I'm a big proponent of being ahead of the plane (again Mom/instructor training) - when I'm feeling like I'm hanging on for dear life and barely maintaining control is when I reduce power.

As a pilotage, straight line kind of person, I also don't like to deviate but if the cloud in front of me has been building rapidly, I will go around - especially in Texas, the rapidly building T-storm can reach up and bite pretty quickly. - didn't have this kind of weather in Chicago where I learned to fly. Center has always been gracious when I ask to deviate for weather.

While I'm proud of the few flying abilities I have, I have no ego when it comes to weather. Weather trumps flying skills. I recall reading about frozen ducks that came down in Liberal, Kansas. Apparently they'd gotten caught in a thunderstorm updraft, taken to altitude, frozen and down they came. The punch line was even the pros can't beat the weather.

Having said that, I still find it magical to fly through clouds. Guess after 45 years, I still haven't gotten over the miracle of flight.

Hope this combination of fact and opinion helps.

[SLIMDREDGER]

Pat: Your weather philosophy was very nicely described. I share your views. Breaking out of clouds and seeing the runway in the proper position does seem like magic.

Warm regards, Al Powers

[Scott Ducey]

Great question and good points by Pat. My answer would be as follows. I fly because it is (1) fun, (2) challenging, (3) is the ultimate freedom. However, in turbulence (especially in the clouds) it ceases to be fun, the challenge is too great, and when I am in turbulence in a cloud, I feel trapped, not free. So I avoid it at all costs. It is difficult enough flying an airplane in turbulence in clear air, but in clouds I just don't fly enough to feel comfortable in that situation.

A few years ago I was coming back from sun n fun in my archer. i was sitting in the back. as we got over virginia we were hit with an updraft that caused our heads to hit the ceiling. our headsets fell off, and i was amazed nothing got bent in this turb. i lost my cool. my friend matt (who is a flight instructor) simply pulled the power back and rode the bumps for a few minutes, and the situation became more manageable.

in short, i avoid that kind of flying for reasons stated above.

scott ducey

[Elliot Cannon]

How much is too much turbulance? It depends on how important it is to get to your destination. Do you really need that $100 hamburger or can it wait for another day? Are you able to turn around, go home and try again when the weather is better? Are you coming home from vacation and absolutely MUST get home because you start work the next day? When I was a professional pilot, flying for a living, I was pretty much expected to deal with bad weather and all the associated problems. Now that I am flying for fun, I can cancel and wait for a better day.

Cheers, Elliot [/u]

[Bernie Mazurek]

[Alan Cheak]

[N8632Y]

[Kristin Winter]

[Tony Scarpelli]