Weather question: LLWS Sigmet

Posted by KITTYONFYRE@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 10 comments

There's a sigmet over the northeast right now: WSUS01 KKCI 121938 BOSQ WS 121938 SIGMET QUEBEC 2 VALID UNTIL 122337 SIGMET ME NH VT MA RI CT NY AND CSTL WTRS FROM 20SSW MLT TO 80ENE ACK TO 30W HTO TO 40NW MPV TO 20SSW MLT OCNL SEV TURB BLW 060. DUE TO STG LOW LVL WNDS AND STG UDDFS AND LLWS. RPTD BY ACFT. CONDS ENDG 2337Z. "Occasional severe turbulence below 6,000 due to strong low level winds and strong up and downdrafts and low level windshear reported by aircraft". My local field was around 10 gusting 15, wind 20 degrees off the single runway (3200x60 ft). There's another airport nearby I was going to visit to do some pattern work, 13 gusting 22 @ 310 with a runway 35 (5,000x100 ft). My two airports are right on the edge of the sigmet. The airport I wanted to get some pattern work at seems like it'd have a nice approachable (but tough!) crosswind on a pretty big runway. Home airport was close enough to straight down the runway and wasn't as windy. Seemed like a really nice combo for doing some pattern work. But I was a little on edge about weather. Wasn't sure if I was pushing it too much - I don't think so, I've landed and taken off in worse, but not when there was a LLWS sigmet. My thought is that it'd be a great day to push it and be safe with the wind right down my home runway. A little reserved about the fact I haven't flown in a couple months thanks to weather, so "pushing it" isn't the greatest thing to be doing on flight #1, but 10G15 isn't particularly pushing it, and god was it a beautiful day otherwise! Thoughts? Ended up being stuck at work too long so it was irrelevant though :l hate my job

10 Comments

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Baystate411@reddit

I think that most SIGMET err on the side of caution a lot of the times. But, that 10G15 can be a wild gawd damn ride aloft

KITTYONFYRE@reddit (OP)

The ride between the two airports is over mountainous ("mountainous" or hilly, I guess, because it's east coast lol) terrain, too, so I think that would have definitely been sporty. Maybe just pattern work at the home airport would've been fine. Mostly wanted to be assured that this is indeed relatively grey and not "its fine bro you're soft, go up with a CFI" nor "you'd have been dead instantly" lol.

Cessna2323@reddit

It was an absolute beating into PWM today. Really nasty shear, lost 15 knots on final. Not a fun day to be bugsmashing

Limtb@reddit

For reference I flew over the ADKs today on the edge of the sigmet and it was a smooth ride at 6k until we hit some of the mountains. The mountain wave was pretty strong and we had to pull power way back because we were getting rocked around pretty good. Would not have wanted to be in a GA plane

PutOptions@reddit

I am still a low hour PPL guy and canceled today. The plan was IR for some practice approaches just North and East of NY bravo. We knew they wouldn't let me file low enough and the PIREPS were enough to scrub. Banged my head on the canopy enough this season. In a pinch I could've managed the pattern fine, but I have well over 50 landings this year already. Updated the G1000 databases (oops) and came home.

BigWerewolf7686@reddit

Knowingly flying into reported severe turbulence and low level wind shear is a ballsy move. Severe turbulence alone being defined as large attitude and altitude changes with brief effective control of the aircraft is impossible, does not sound like a good day to fly and test your limits. I do agree the you should get out of your comfort zone, however there’s typically a line. Actual severe turbulence in a GA aircraft, is way beyond mine. Especially if you are in mountainous terrain

RexFiller@reddit

I was in wind shear yesterday for the first time. It was at a very specific altitude east of a mountain. I was trying to stay straight and level and my airspeed was fluctuating so much between 145 and 115ish. There were times where I was pitched up 15 degrees just to maintain altitude. Then during descent it sent me into a 45 degree bank uncommanded but eventually smoothed out below 2,000. It wasn't predicted but as I was flying ATC said they were getting reports of it and then someone on frequency said they were in wind shear now. I honestly had never experienced it, I usually don't fly when it's super windy and it really wasn't on the ground, but now I now that it is not fun.

phliar@reddit

If I'm planning to stay in the pattern and can see what the windsock is doing -- well, ground truth beats forecasts any day. However if I plan to go somewhere else, it's less clear cut... if I'm very familiar with the local weather patterns and at the other airport and enroute, and how they relate to conditions I can see -- I might go. In all other cases, it's better to err on the side of prudence and safety. You can only push your limits if you have a guaranteed Plan B -- like trying difficult crosswinds because you know the winds are right down the other runway. (The best way to push your limits is, of course, with an instructor on board.)

InGeorgeWeTrust_@reddit

I don’t fuck with wind shear or severe turbulence in a GA plane. Gusty day, strong winds fine but I avoid the shear. Doesn’t seem like it was very bad at your airport, gotta just use your judgment.

Yeah possibly the trip to the other airport (in relatively hilly/mountainous terrain) would've been a bad idea. Home airport is near a ride of mountains but a long flat valley on the other side, and the mountains (hills) beside it run with the wind, so I don't think it would have been bad there. appreciate the input!

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