Having whetted my appetite for soaring in Minden, Nevada a few years ago I have become spoiled. The first flight being a three hour wave ride to 22,000’ was incredible.
Lenticular clouds, stacked lenticulars are much feared by us “power” pilots (this is where a true sailplane pilot sneers!) as are “rotors” etc. To those who love to soar, they signal nirvana!
You have to look closely to see them in the distance.
Like pitbulls, once you get to understand them they are not so fearsome but still demand respect and can bite you real hard.
Gary and I were returning from the Reno Air Races this past September and were enjoying 40 to 50 knots directly on the tail at 15,000 from Reno through to eastern South Dakota.
These photos were taken about 50 nm south of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
The “lennies” were everywhere but comoflaged by the other clouds.
Of course being careful and aware we watched our airspeed increase as expected on the upslope side wile we maintainted altitude. I said to Gary that we will expect either a slight burble at the apex of the wave if we’re above it or a real thrashing (ready for a power cut and speed reduction to maneouvering speed) if below. We were already indicating only 125 KIAS.
We got a sharp jolt and then lost 25 KIAS to maintain altitude for the next five minutes on the lee side of the mountains.
Neat ride this time but at lower altitudes there was potential for some real turbulence below the streamlines of the wave.