Flight Experience Analysis - July 16, 2020

Flight Overview

• Departure: Tacoma Narrows Airport
• Destination: Packwood, Washington
• Flight Distance: 77 nautical miles
• Estimated Time: 49 minutes
• Fuel Burn: 8.6 gallons
• Significant Conditions: Turbulence during landing and wind shear during takeoff.

Takeoff Details

• Camera Setup: Mounted camera under left wing and POV camera on pilot.
• Stall Warning: Heard multiple times during takeoff.
• Wind Conditions: Gusts reported at 27 knots; turbulent winds from southwest.
• Terrain Challenges: Surrounded by mountains causing severe turbulence.

Analysis Tools

• App Used: Windy.com for flight planning and weather data.
  • Provides wind velocity and direction from various reporting stations.
  • Current conditions were analyzed post-flight.

Wind Dynamics

• Wind Interaction: Winds from south-west over Sky Mountain caused turbulence in the valley.
• Ground Conditions: Ground wind was 7-10 knots but gusts were up to 27 knots post takeoff.
• Impact of Wind Shear: Wind shear resulted in sudden drops in airspeed, creating stall conditions.

Flight Performance Factors

Weight and Balance

• Pilot Weight: 190 lbs
• Fuel: 36 gallons
• Estimated Load: 30 lbs (flight bag + baggage)
• Total Takeoff Weight: 1787 lbs
• Center of Gravity: Within envelope.

Density Altitude Calculation

• Field Elevation: 1057 feet
• Density Altitude: Calculated at 2580 feet due to temperature and pressure conditions.

Climb Performance

• Expected Climb Rate: ~700 ft/min under normal conditions.
• Wind Shear Effects: Experienced fluctuations in climb rate due to gusting winds.

Instrumentation Review

• Air Speed Indicator: Experienced rapid drops in speed due to gusts, leading to stall warnings.
• Vertical Speed Indicator: Fluctuated significantly; indicating strong downdrafts and updrafts.

Key Takeaways

• Learning Experience: Analyzed video footage and correlated it with flight instruments to understand events during takeoff.
• Future Considerations:
  • Avoid flights during turbulent conditions, particularly in mountainous areas.
  • Choose early morning or stable air times for better conditions.
  • Important to understand the dynamics of valley flying and how terrain affects wind patterns.
• Conclusion: Overall, valuable lessons were learned regarding flight planning and execution in challenging conditions.