Looking for mountain advise: A trip to Asheville

lr172 · #1 03-29-2017, 02:07 PM

I live in the central flat lands of the Midwest and have no mountain flying experience. I am considering a trip to Asheville this weekend and will need to traverse the Blue Ridge mountains. I have read a bit about mountain flying risks, but most was related to the Rockies, at twice the height.

Any advice for how to approach and plan for the flight over the mountain? Should I maintain 2-3K of altitude over the mountain and then come back for the approach? Does the 25 knot wind over the mountain rule still apply?

I appreciate any advise or guidance you can give to this newbie for his first trip over anything taller than a TV transmitter antenna.

Larry

FORANE · #2 03-29-2017, 02:37 PM

Larry

I live near asheville. Yes it is good to stay a couple thousand feet agl and be cautious on the downwind side of the ridge when the wind is perpendicular to the ridge. Asheville is in a bowl and can be gusty when it is windy.

The rv line has such good climb performance that it would take a very bad day to not be able to out climb a downdraft. Watch the weather; it is not uncommon to have overcast on one side of the Appalachians and clear on the other. Don't try to descend through a broken layer near a ridge in attempt to reach the valley below the layer. Don't fly at night in the mountains without being either familiar with the terrain or under IFR.

Not sure where you are coming from but I would consider flying up the Tennessee valley then turning south over the ridge rather than flying above the ridge the entire way.

lr172 · #3 03-29-2017, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FORANE

Larry

I live near asheville. Yes it is good to stay a couple thousand feet agl and be cautious on the downwind side of the ridge when the wind is perpendicular to the ridge. Asheville is in a bowl and can be gusty when it is windy.

The rv line has such good climb performance that it would take a very bad day to not be able to out climb a downdraft. Watch the weather; it is not uncommon to have overcast on one side of the Appalachians and clear on the other. Don't try to descend through a broken layer near a ridge in attempt to reach the valley below the layer. Don't fly at night in the mountains without being either familiar with the terrain or under IFR.

Not sure where you are coming from but I would consider flying up the Tennessee valley then turning south over the ridge rather than flying above the ridge the entire way.

I am coming from Chicago and had planned to cross the ridge perpendicular near Ashville. Didn't think it was a good idea to hang around it longer than necessary. I plan to file IFR. Do the controllers routinely vector you in such a way as to help avoid the waves/rotors or do I need to make special requests?

Larry

FORANE · #4 03-29-2017, 02:51 PM

No special request needed.
KAVL is a little more costly; you might consider other alternatives because of that however.

snopercod · #5 03-29-2017, 05:30 PM

After a cold front passes through the area (like on Friday night/Saturday Morning), it's always turbulent over the mountains North of Asheville. I usually cross at 9,500'. Heading for Snowbird VOR [SOT] and then to AVL is a good choice, usually. My crystal ball says Saturday is going to be bumpy but Sunday should be good.

N941WR · #6 03-29-2017, 06:02 PM

You might want to call Signature at KAVL first and get an idea of what they charge. It might be an eye opener.

Hendersonville, is just south of AVL and is a bit of a dump but you can take an Uber into Asheville.

I have never worried about flying over the mountains but as suggested, the higher you do it, the better. One option is to head towards ATL, run left after the mountains end, fly towards GMU, then take a left up over the mountains. That won't add a lot of time to your trip and reduces your time over the mountains.

For the record, I have flown VFR over them at night without concern. Just make sure the weather is good and there isn't much wind.

Feel free to drop in here at SC86, if you like.

Vlad · #7 03-29-2017, 07:08 PM

Larry you will enjoy the trip. Asheville is a pretty place as are all surrounding areas. Being a flatlander myself I like Smoky Mountains. They are actually not that high. Check the weather and go. If you decide to go Hendersonville it's a kind of a desolate place. A bit delapidated pilot shack but people there are nice. Not far from there Jackson airport sits on a pretty hill. If winds are light and no turbulence just drop down the valley and enjoy the views. You will be able to hear Asheville approach at 1,500 agl from 30 miles if coming from the north.

rzbill · #8 03-29-2017, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lr172

Any advice for how to approach and plan for the flight over the mountain? Should I maintain 2-3K of altitude over the mountain and then come back for the approach? Does the 25 knot wind over the mountain rule still apply?

2-3K over the ridges? Yep. Especially for one as you describe yourself. Snopercod (a few hangers over from me) is right about 9000 ish when arriving from the west. You might be that high anyway if IFR due to local OROCA. Snowbird IFR routes are at 7K due to following the Pidgeon river pass through the ridge. I fly a bit closer to the ridgetops VFR but I also expect (and get) the rough ride when it is breezy. In regards to wind, the more wind, the more altitude needed to get to smooth air or the tighter you need your belts. Never had rotors/waves throw me towards the dirt, just bang me around. As mentioned in earlier post, it will probably be breezy on Sat after the front passage.

Don't worry about cross winds.KAVL runway is aligned to the long Asheville valley. Wind can be brisk but the air commonly goes straight down the valley and the runway.

I can't help with Signature costs because my hangar is full but feel free to PM me if you want to hook up Saturday night.

So I see Vlads pics. It really is a blast to fly nap of the earth around here. I like giving an eye level show to the folks eating dinner at the Pisgah Inn

There are a couple of towers on the ridge south of the field (15 ish miles away from the airport but easily in the "playground") you gotta pay attention to.

lr172 · #9 03-29-2017, 09:43 PM

Thanks for all of the input and guidance here. We're going to head down that way on Friday afternoon. If the front hasn't passed and the Wx bad, we'll spend the night in eastern TN and come over early Sat morning.

Bill, Drop me your cell via PM. Assuming the trip doesn't get cancelled, I'll reach out on Sat and see if there is an opportunity to get together on Sat evening. I'll be traveling with my 18 year old son.

Based on the advise, I will plan to got to Hendersonville unless I need an instrument approach to get in.

Larry

rzbill · #10 03-30-2017, 04:23 AM

Sent a PM Larry.

For folks reading this thread in the future, Hendersonville is OK but as Vlad said, can be empty of peeps. FBO may not be open outside of 8-5. Might call if arriving later.

The rwy 33 approach is interesting with tree covered hill at end of runway.
I would not do it after sundown.