Simviation Forums

A regular trip for me, following the route taken by Steve Fossett in 2007, with fatal consequences...>>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Fossett

The "Plan-G v 2.0.5" Satellite map, showing the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. and my progress through it in real time (The yellow aircraft)...>>>



....from Yerington (O43) Nevada, to Modesto (KMOD) California.

Buffeted by the killer up-draft and down-drift winds, common to the area...>>>



Struggling to maintain control!...>>>



Did I survive? (Check with BBC News!).

I remember following the news, daily, for the search, etc, in 2007/2008

The whole episode still fascinates me, even today, illustrating the dangers of flying in mountainous areas with dangerous atmospheric conditions!
Popular with Gliders, but very dangerous for small GA Piston Prop Aircraft!

Paul... ...!

Great post Paul!

I remember seeing either a "Seconds From Disaster" or "Final Report" episode on the National Geographic Channel that depicted exactly what happened on that fateful flight. He pretty much unknowingly flew into a "trap", for lack of a better descriptor. The terrain and atmospheric conditions were unfortunately perfect for an unsurvivable scenario that no pilot of any skill level could've flown out of.

U4EA wrote:Great post Paul!

I remember seeing either a "Seconds From Disaster" or "Final Report" episode on the National Geographic Channel that depicted exactly what happened on that fateful flight. He pretty much unknowingly flew into a "trap", for lack of a better descriptor. The terrain and atmospheric conditions were unfortunately perfect for an unsurvivable scenario that no pilot of any skill level could've flown out of.

Many Thanks, U4!... ...!

I often closely follow the California news, regarding local flight difficulties and fatalities, wildfires, floods, landslides, etc, in those areas which are very familiar to me!
The Steve Fossett saga always fascinates me, because of my daily flights in my small GA Piston Prop aircraft, from the peace and tranquillity of the SOCAL Central Valley, and LA Valley, over the high, dangerous, Sierra Nevada, San Gabriel, San Bernardino, San Andreas, etc, mountains, with their unpredictable atmospheric conditions!
Using both real weather, and custom weather, I can experience flying conditions which can result in a "fatality" for me, if I don't take great care to predict the dangers, and take the necessary precautions to avoid them!

An interesting and enlightening experience for a Sim Pilot.... ...!

All good stuff!

Paul....FS 2004, an exploratory Cessna 150 Aerobat aircraft, and a set of maps and a compass... ...!

Another interesting incident which I have followed very closely, and followed the same dangerous route, using local news and Google Satellite Maps for reference...>>>

http://aircraftwrecks.com/pages/pa-18.htm