1. Lake Placid Wave & Mountain Flying Camp
Familiarization Safety Briefing

2. What is it all about?

3. Agenda Be Aware! Mountain Wave Lift Wave Cloud Formations
High Altitude Aerodynamics Review
Oxygen and Navigation Considerations
Airspace Procedures & Agreement
Ground Operations
Vehicle Movements
Launching
Aerotowing
Landing
Landouts and Local Terrain
Radio Procedures
Checkouts & Familiarization
What to Wear?
Accommodations, Food
Summary

4. Be Aware…
As an introduction to mountain wave flying in the High Peaks Region of the Adirondacks, certain salient points should be noted. Wave flying like any flying, can be hazardous. With experience and care, the risks can be lowered, but not eliminated. Some aspects of safety in wave and mountain flying are presented here, but this is far from a complete discussion. Pilots should strive to develop the judgment that will keep them safe, understanding that mountains such as these regularly present conditions in which even excellent aircraft and skilled pilots cannot safely fly.
Although not compulsory, medical travel insurance (with no aviation exclusion) is strongly recommended.

5. “That flight required the use of every skill that I have learned in 30 years of soaring”
Ian Grant – CFI GGC commenting on his FAI Gold altitude flight at Lake Placid - October 2007

6. High Peaks Region - The playground
Rising to the occasion

7. Between heaven and earth
Yellow Bird

8. Mountain Wave Lift
Mountain Wave: Lift generated by stable air flowing over a mountain in the form of a standing wave.
Will allow high altitude (20-30,000’) flights up in the areas usually reserved for jet traffic.
Glider are oxygen system equipped to fly high.
Mountain chains will allow high fast and long distance flights.
The world record (3,000Km+) was done primarily in mountain wave.

9. Mountain Wave Lift
Graphic – Cross Country Soaring (Reichmann)

10. Mountain Wave Lift
Graphic – Cross Country Soaring (Reichmann)

11. Wave Cloud Formations Lenticular Clouds Fly the upwind edge.
Visualize the lift.
Low Level Lennie = Good
Rotor (cumulusfractus) – avoid it if you can
Tow, release, climb.
Straps TIGHT! +/- 3 G’s
Anticipate
Stratus wave “windows”
Do not go above the layer unless you don’t mind getting stuck above!
Be Alert. Traffic congestions with 1 other glider
Maintain visibility!
From Above – Oct. 2006
Riding a Lennie – Oct. 2006
From Above – Oct. 2005
Whiteface Wave
March 2007
Satellite Shot of Wave
Sept. 2004

12. What is intriguing about this picture?
Hint: Compare all instrument readings (including PDA)
What is unusual about this photo – hint look at the instruments…

13. High Altitude Aerodynamics Review
Steer clear of clouds (icing and your wing…) SINK, etc.
True airspeed vs. indicated (approx. 2% per 1000)
Watch out for FLUTTER!
eg: true airspeed increases by approx. 2% every 1000 ft of altitude!
Stall speed remains same (indicated airspeed)
Vne occurs at a lower indicated airspeed as altitude increases (2% reduction in Vne per 1000 ft of altitude)
Easy to exceed Vne at altitude!
Plan your descents – Gelcoat finishes do not like shock warming – descend from high altitude in stages
Good wave conditions = turbulence in the pattern (no loose objects)
Review gust loading limits for your aircraft
Lots to explore, lots to learn
So what is the True Air Speed (TAS) of the glider in the previous slide?

14. Oxygen is your Friend FAR’s 14,000’ O2 mandatory (US)
10,000’ recommended
Cannula good to 18,000 ft
Constant flow system (mask) good to 25,000 ft
Diluter demand (pressure breathing) system required above 25,000 ft
Do not use it sparingly
Oxygen refills available onsite
Read FAA Advisory Circular AC A “Operations of Aircraft at Altitudes above 25,000 ft”

15. Navigation - GPS is also your Friend
Get a US Montreal VFR chart (covers the LKP area) and study it! Available from:
VIP Pilot Supply (Canada)
Lake Placid FBO
Get a GPS and know how to use it
Its ONLY an aid – do not predicate any aspect of your flight based on the GPS
Eyes out of the cockpit! Especially in wave
Batteries and the cold…. (for one)
Ground speed vs. airspeed…
Benign spiral dives, know and practice them, but never get into a situation where they need to be used.
Late day flying – lighting may still be great at altitude but becoming dark in the valleys
Give yourself time to descend

17. Airspace - Boston ARTCC Agreement Basics
All pilots must read, understand and comply with the Letter of Agreement.
Other than altitude restrictions, all requirements of VFR flight remain in force, including rules governing cloud clearance and visual separation from other aircraft.
You must not be above FL 180 unless:
you know the airspace is open, when it closes, and the maximum altitude allowed
you remain within the limits of the Lake Placid Glider Area and below the maximum altitude
you are monitoring Mhz
You must descend below FL 180:
by the agreed-on closing time each day
if you hear on that a recall has been issued
if it has been more than 30 minutes since you last heard a confirmation that the airspace remains open
Handout – ARTCC Agreement

18. LKP Ground Operations (Vehicles on Airport) Trailer Tie Down &
Runway Length ft
Airport Elevation 1747 ft
Trailer Tie Down &
Rigging Area

19. Ground Operations Launching
Position glider and tow plane on the launch apron with the tail dolly on.
Pilot should be strapped in and ready to go
Tow rope is connected to the glider and tow plane
When the runway is clear, tow plane pulls glider onto active runway
with a wing runner steering the glider into position
Glider pilot to use wheel brake to keep the tow rope taut
Once on the active runway, wing runner removes tail dolly from glider and
proceeds with standard SAC launch procedure
Launch Video

20. Aerotowing Get in and be READY before towplane is in the pattern
Check radio with Tug pilot before taking position on runway
3,000’ AGL Minimum
4 – 5,000’ AGL Advised
Straps Tight
Landing lights (stay on center line)
Tow Pattern and why (close for safety’s sake)
The Menu: Whiteface, Heart Lake, Algonquin, Mt. Marcy
Situational Awareness
Encountering a ceiling (less 500’)

21. Aerotowing – Emergency Rope Break
Rope Break Fields
Runway 32 Launch
Aerotowing – Emergency Rope Break
Fields
Rope Break Fields
Runway 14 Launch

22. Aerotowing – Flight Tracks to Wave Locations
Tow path to Whiteface
Tow path to Heart Lake/Algonquin/Marcy

23. Landing Circuit Runway 32
Enter crosswind
@ 3000ft indicated
(approx AGL)

24. Radio Procedures Ramp check – don’t leave home without one
122.8 MHz on tow until release (LKP Unicom)
Once clear and after post release checks, switch to MHz
MONITOR for wave announcements
5 nm inbound to land – back to MHz and announce reg., type, position, intentions
If low (thermalling) or within 5 nm of LKP switch to LKP Unicom (122.8 MHz)
Announce cross wind if from north, downwind “landing on the grass”, base and final
Lake Placid Ground (Glider Operations) will be monitoring MHz

25. Land Out Options KNOW YOUR OPTIONS Be COMPLETELY familiar with them.
Do not get trapped over an overcast layer
Do not be reticent to fly downwind to exercise your options if conditions warrant
Situational Awareness at ALL times (NB: Maps, an understanding of their use, supplemented by GPS and an understanding of its limitations.
Downwind vs. upwind
Final glide computers…??!! Don’t count on it

26. Local Terrain

29. Checkouts and Familiarization
Each pilot wishing to fly solo at Lake Placid (club or private glider) will require an area familiarization flight in a two seat glider with a qualified LKP checkout pilot
It is also strongly suggested that “new” pilots to the area also book a local tour flight with the FBO at the airport. A 45 to 60 minute flight allows for a flyby visit to most of the emergency landing fields in the area. Cost is very reasonable when split 3 or 4 ways in the Cessna 172, or 206 (expect to pay $40 to $60 a head)
A driving tour of the local emergency airfields will be held early during the fly week. All are invited to come along. It finishes at the NoonMark diner in Keene Valley – home of legendary pies!

30. What to Wear…What to Wear… (for men too…)
Ground temperatures can vary from freezing to +25 Celcius on any given day
Be prepared for the cold when flying. At altitude temperatures can drop to below -20 degrees Celcius. (-29 C on my diamond ft)
Hat, gloves (accessible), warm shoes/boots (still have to use rudder pedals.
Long johns etc.

31. Typical Day If not blowing, 9:00 a.m. (or so) rigging
If blowing hard at first light… Why are you not already in the air?
Gliders marshalled to launch area
Sniffing
Legal day vs. light in the valley (a/p)
Batteries to charge station or….
Lake Placid Ground on call at all times

32. Accomodations Numerous bed and breakfasts
Schultes Family Lodge ( .com) Good rates of $48 - $65 double occupancy with continental breakfast served, 131 seconds driving time (approx.) from the airport. Tell’m you are “one of the glider guys”. Phone: (518) to reserve.
Tent / car / hammock / or sleep under a trailer on the airfield (million star hotel)
Puchacz trailer can sleep 8 for free!

33. Entertainment, Food & Stuff
Only the best watering holes and feeding troughs in upstate NY are found in Lake Placid
Lisa G’s good food, near airport, outside patio
Many other restuarants along Main St.
NoonMark Diner in Keene Valley after the emergency field road tour…
Movie theatre on main street near bandshell park
Bowling (Bowl Winkles) on Main St.
Hiking – some of the best trails in N. America

34. Closing Remarks
You are a guest in another country flying a foreign registered aircraft according to the regulations of that country
If you have questions - ask
Some serious, and seriously fine soaring, unlike anything you have come to know, in one of eastern North America’s most beautiful playgrounds we call our own. A facet of the sport to be explored and enjoyed. Not to be missed. Fly High – Fly Safe.
Thanks to Roger Hildesheim of GGC for acting as a co-contributor for this briefing.

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36. Marcy Airfield (looking North)
Elevation 900 ft
Runway 36-18
Smooth grass
Very turbulent circuit when wave is active
Use this field if caught behind Sentinel Range or Mt. Marcy
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37. Wockner Field (looking East)
Elevation 1500 ft
Hayfield
Land E to W or S to N due to slope
Turn east from Rt #9 onto Styles Brook Rd. to access
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38. Wockner Field (looking South)
Elevation 1500 ft
Hayfield
Land E to W or S to N due to slope
Turn east from Rt #9 onto Styles Brook Rd. to access
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39. Jay Field Elevation 650 ft Grass oriented 23-05
Very turbulent circuit when wave is active
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40. Catalano Airfield Elevation 850 ft Runway 22-04 Smooth grass
Very turbulent circuit when wave is active
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