Safe XC Soaring Safe XC Soaring from Byronfrom Byron

Land out options Land out options Use of Blipmaps as an XC Use of Blipmaps as an XC

Planning ToolPlanning ToolRamy YanetzRamy Yanetz

February 2006February 2006

Why Byron?Why Byron? Cross Country from Byron is easier and even safer Cross Country from Byron is easier and even safer

then Truckee. (Must be beyond glide slope to then Truckee. (Must be beyond glide slope to Byron to qualify as XC though). Byron to qualify as XC though).

During springtime same potential as Williams, During springtime same potential as Williams, Hollister or Avenal.Hollister or Avenal.

More fun and rewarding to fly from your home More fun and rewarding to fly from your home airportairport

In post frontal conditions (typical March to May) In post frontal conditions (typical March to May) clouds will often mark the lift and XC is possible clouds will often mark the lift and XC is possible on on any direction with local tow following the clouds.any direction with local tow following the clouds.

On other days there may be marginal or no lift at On other days there may be marginal or no lift at Byron, but excellent soaring conditions south Byron, but excellent soaring conditions south along the Diablo range, accessible from high tows.along the Diablo range, accessible from high tows.

Why not?Why not?

Byron XC PotentialByron XC Potential

300-500km especially during the spring 300-500km especially during the spring (March-June) and fall.(March-June) and fall.

May require 20-30 miles 6000-7000ft tows May require 20-30 miles 6000-7000ft tows when local lift not presents .when local lift not presents .

25 miles tow @ 80knots = 30 minutes round 25 miles tow @ 80knots = 30 minutes round trip ($67).trip ($67).

Typical altitude over the Diablo range south Typical altitude over the Diablo range south of Byron (not Mt. Diablo) is 6000-8000, of Byron (not Mt. Diablo) is 6000-8000, occasional 10,000. Soarable most days occasional 10,000. Soarable most days from Spring to Fall.from Spring to Fall.

Easy glide back to Byron.Easy glide back to Byron.

2005 Statistics2005 Statistics

Total distance from Byron – 1736 km in Total distance from Byron – 1736 km in 7 XC flights (averaging 250km per 7 XC flights (averaging 250km per flight)flight)

Two 400km flightsTwo 400km flights Typical altitude 6000-9000 ftTypical altitude 6000-9000 ft 40% from local tows40% from local tows 2 Landouts (one in an airport, one in a 2 Landouts (one in an airport, one in a

field)field)

Suggested Release PointsSuggested Release Points

Rel1 – 20 Statue miles from Byron Rel1 – 20 Statue miles from Byron N37:33:16, W121:36:16N37:33:16, W121:36:16

Rel2 – 25 Statue miles from Byron Rel2 – 25 Statue miles from Byron N37:28:43, W121:33:13N37:28:43, W121:33:13

Rel3 – 30 Statue miles from Byron Rel3 – 30 Statue miles from Byron N37:24:38, W121:32:33N37:24:38, W121:32:33

Rel4 (Mt. Oso) 25 Statue miles from Rel4 (Mt. Oso) 25 Statue miles from Byron N37:30:14, W121:22:16Byron N37:30:14, W121:22:16

Diablo Wave - 37:50.85N,121:54.43WDiablo Wave - 37:50.85N,121:54.43W

Suggested RoutesSuggested Routes

No need to go to Mt Diablo unless you want No need to go to Mt Diablo unless you want to fly local or go north. to fly local or go north.

Poor lift north over the delta except on Poor lift north over the delta except on unstable post frontal daysunstable post frontal days

Best route south along the Diablo rangeBest route south along the Diablo range Often strong convergence marked with Often strong convergence marked with

clouds over the highest terrain east of Mt clouds over the highest terrain east of Mt Hamilton towards Mt Oso, persists all dayHamilton towards Mt Oso, persists all day

When above 8K you can go in the middle, if When above 8K you can go in the middle, if lower move towards the west or east lower move towards the west or east side.side.

Suggested Routes (continue)Suggested Routes (continue)

When below 4000ft stick to the foothills on When below 4000ft stick to the foothills on the east side or even move over the hwy, the east side or even move over the hwy, therethere is often a weak shear line along the is often a weak shear line along the hwy hwy which lasts till late in the daywhich lasts till late in the day

Plenty of places to land on the east side, Plenty of places to land on the east side, airstrip every 10 miles or so.airstrip every 10 miles or so.

Unless clouds indicate otherwise, stay on the Unless clouds indicate otherwise, stay on the east side when crossing the Pacheco east side when crossing the Pacheco pass pass (sea breeze on the west, potential (sea breeze on the west, potential convergence on the east)convergence on the east)

Suggested TasksSuggested Tasks

Byron – Pacheco pass – Byron: 100 miles Byron – Pacheco pass – Byron: 100 miles (Cloud street Milk Run)(Cloud street Milk Run)

Byron – San Benito Mtn (EL4) – Byron: 230 Byron – San Benito Mtn (EL4) – Byron: 230 miles (300K task gold distance)miles (300K task gold distance)

Byron – Hwy41 (South of Avenal) – Byron: Byron – Hwy41 (South of Avenal) – Byron: 324 324 miles (500km diamond distance)miles (500km diamond distance)

Byron – Taft or New Cuyama : 225 miles Byron – Taft or New Cuyama : 225 miles straight straight out out

Byron – New Cuyama – Byron: 450 Miles Byron – New Cuyama – Byron: 450 Miles (700km)(700km)

Airport Landout Options (West)Airport Landout Options (West)

Reid Hill view (Tower, OK to land)Reid Hill view (Tower, OK to land) South County (Morgan Hill, OK to land) South County (Morgan Hill, OK to land) Hollister (gliderport) Hollister (gliderport)

Airport Landout options (South)Airport Landout options (South)

Livermore (Tower, OK if can’t make it back to Byron)Livermore (Tower, OK if can’t make it back to Byron) MeadowlarkMeadowlark TracyTracy New JerusalemNew Jerusalem Westley (marginal, probably not aero retrievable)Westley (marginal, probably not aero retrievable) Patterson Patterson Crows Landing (Huge, but access unknown)Crows Landing (Huge, but access unknown) GustineGustine Los BanosLos Banos PanochePanoche

Airports Landouts (North)Airports Landouts (North)

Rio VistaRio Vista Nut TreeNut Tree Multiple strips between Vacaville and Multiple strips between Vacaville and

WilliamsWilliams

Off Field OptionsOff Field Options

37:46.79N,121:34.60W - Fields along 37:46.79N,121:34.60W - Fields along Mt.House road (watch for power lines)Mt.House road (watch for power lines)

37:21:38N,121:28:56W,2050F - Good fields by 37:21:38N,121:28:56W,2050F - Good fields by the road on top of the Diablo range.the road on top of the Diablo range.

37:24:06N,121:15:49W,1050F - OK Field in the 37:24:06N,121:15:49W,1050F - OK Field in the new development west of Patterson new development west of Patterson

(land (land to west)to west) 37:13:40N,121:05:17W,200F – Good field 37:13:40N,121:05:17W,200F – Good field

along I-5 near Gustine Exitalong I-5 near Gustine Exit

Tips for safe landouts below the Tips for safe landouts below the Diablo rangeDiablo range

Use conservative glide, same as when flying Use conservative glide, same as when flying from Truckee.from Truckee.

When below 4000 ft move towards the valley When below 4000 ft move towards the valley Wind direction will usually be from the NWWind direction will usually be from the NW Take an afternoon road trip along I-5 to Take an afternoon road trip along I-5 to

check the listed airports.check the listed airports. Take a scenic trip up the Diablo range (Mines Take a scenic trip up the Diablo range (Mines

Road from Livermore) and downRoad from Livermore) and down to to Patterson to check the fields. Patterson to check the fields.

SuggestionsSuggestions

XC Mentoring (practical only for 2 XC Mentoring (practical only for 2 gliders due to length of tows)gliders due to length of tows)

Get your silver and gold distance from Get your silver and gold distance from Byron during spring Byron during spring

Mad Dash Event– Straight out towards Mad Dash Event– Straight out towards Avenal, Grapevine, Tehachapi or Avenal, Grapevine, Tehachapi or beyond. Pilots and crew needed. beyond. Pilots and crew needed.

How to use blipmaps for XC How to use blipmaps for XC planningplanning

Check the “CurrentDay” ETA forecast for Check the “CurrentDay” ETA forecast for Saturday on Friday eveningSaturday on Friday evening

Usually available after 6:30PM and updated Usually available after 6:30PM and updated every few hoursevery few hours

Check the BLTop map (Height of Boundary Check the BLTop map (Height of Boundary Layer Top) – this is the most important Layer Top) – this is the most important and accurate parameter. It indicates and accurate parameter. It indicates

how how high you can get in the best thermals. high you can get in the best thermals. The forecast period is indicated on the topThe forecast period is indicated on the top

right, 9hrs being the latest right, 9hrs being the latest

Blipmaps (continue)Blipmaps (continue) On Saturday morning, check both the ETA blipmap On Saturday morning, check both the ETA blipmap

and the RUC 21Z blipmap. If they disagree, go and the RUC 21Z blipmap. If they disagree, go with the RUC. If both predicting a great day – go with the RUC. If both predicting a great day – go fly!fly!

Check the Latest RUC BLTop. It is usually accurate Check the Latest RUC BLTop. It is usually accurate within couple of hundred feet (especially the 6 within couple of hundred feet (especially the 6 hour forecast, which is usually available after hour forecast, which is usually available after 9:30AM).9:30AM).

For higher resolution map check the RASP Hcrit.For higher resolution map check the RASP Hcrit. Check ETA Cumulus potential and Cumulus Check ETA Cumulus potential and Cumulus

Cloudbase. Note cloudbase altitude is only valid Cloudbase. Note cloudbase altitude is only valid if if cumulus potential is positive. cumulus potential is positive.

Pay special attention to the area of best lift (usually Pay special attention to the area of best lift (usually along the Diablo range south of Byron) to plan along the Diablo range south of Byron) to plan the best XC route.the best XC route.

URL’sURL’s Hollister waypoint database: Hollister waypoint database:

http://soaring.gahsys.com/TP/Hollister/http://soaring.gahsys.com/TP/Hollister/ ETA - ETA - http://http://www.drjack.infowww.drjack.info/BLIP/ETA/CANV//BLIP/ETA/CANV/ RUC - RUC - http://http://www.drjack.infowww.drjack.info/BLIP/RUC/CANV//BLIP/RUC/CANV/ Multitime: Multitime: http://http://

www.drjack.info/BLIP/RUC/CANV/multitimewww.drjack.info/BLIP/RUC/CANV/multitime.html.html Blipspot: Blipspot: http://http://

www.drjack.info/BLIP/RUC/SPOT/index.htmlwww.drjack.info/BLIP/RUC/SPOT/index.html UniViewer: UniViewer: http://www.drjack.info/BLIP/univiewer.htmlhttp://www.drjack.info/BLIP/univiewer.html RASP: RASP:

http://www.drjack.info/RASP/PANOCHE/index.htmlhttp://www.drjack.info/RASP/PANOCHE/index.html