SECTION
X
SAFETY
INFORMATION
MQONEY
MODEL
M20J
FLIGHT IN TURBULEN'T AIR
Even though flight in severe turbulence is to be avoided. flight in tirrbulent air
may be encountered under certain conditions.
Flying through turbulent air
presents two basic problems, to both of which the answer is PROPER
AIRSPEED. On the one hand, if you maintain an excessive airspeed, you
rr
the risk of structural damage or failure; on the other hand, if your airspeed
too low, you may stall. If turbulence encountered in cruise or descent be-
comes uncomfortable to the pilot or passengers, the best procedure is to
reduce speed to the maneuvering speed, which is listed in the Limitations
Section of the FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual and Pilots Operating
Handbook. This speed gives the best assurance of avoiding excessive stress
loads, and at the same time providing margin against inadvertent
stails due to
gusts.
Beware of overcontrolling in attempting to correct for changes in altitude; ap-
plying control pressure abruptly will build
up G-forces rapidly and could
cause damaging structural stress loads.
You should watch particularly your
angle of bank, making turns as wide and shallow as possible, and be equally
cautious in applying forward or back pressure to keep the nose level. Main-
tain straight and level attitude in either up or down drafts. Use
trim sparingly
to avoid being grossly mistrimmed as the vertical air columns change velocity
and direction.
MOUNTAIN FLYlNG
Avoid flight at low altitudes over mountainous terrain, particularly near the lee
slopes. -OBSERVE PUBLISHED MINIMUM
ENROUTE ALTlTLlDES (MEA)-. If
the
wind velocity near the level of the ridge is in excess of
25
knots and ap-
proximately perpendicular to the ridge, mountain wave conditions are likely
over and near the lee slopes. If the wind velocity at the level of the ridge ex-
ceeds
50
knots, a strong mountain wave is probable with strong up and
down drafts and severe or extreme turbulence.
The worst turbulence will be
encountered in and below the rotor zone which is usually
8
to
10
miles
downwind from the ridge. This zone is characterized by the presence of "roll
clouds" if sufficient moisture is present; alto cumulus standing lenticular
clouds are also visible signs that a mountain wave exists, but their presence
is likewise dependent on moisture. Mountain wave turbulence can, of course,
occur in dry air and the absence
of
such clouds should not be taken as any
assurance that mountain wave turbulence will not be encountered.
A
moun-
tain wave downdraft may exceed the climb capability of your airplane.
----AVOiD
MOUNTAIN
WAVE
DOWNDRAFT%----
REV.
%I
6-72-87
ISSUED
6-.2-86
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