Tried the mtns in the semi-dark this morning...

[Clark1961]

And didn't like it a bit.

Departed DWX a little before 5 a.m., dawn in the east and a full moon. Down side was lots of moisture in the air so hazy which is really unusual out here.

It was still too dark for terrain clearance. Ended up circling over the field to climb to 11.5 which was my en-route altitude. Used the terrain page on the 430w to help with routing. Not a good situation at all but the engine looked good on the monitor and I pressed through.

I didn't do it blindly, I monitored the terrain page on the way over on Friday morning and knew that it provided good info on clearance for that particular route. Friday's trip was at 10.5 so there was a little more margin this morning.

Long story made short, if ya gotta depend on the x30w for clearance, it works but it sure wasn't comfortable flying into/over nothing but black. I'm not planning to repeat this little escapade in the near future.

For the nannies: I was solo and the forecast was good other than temperatures & dew points within 4 C. SAR folks would have had good weather if there was anything left to recover...

 

[denverpilot]

Instrument charts could help in this scenario. MSA circle from an Approach chart, and fly out as if it were an instrument departure up to MEA after calculating climb gradient per mile.

I definitely don't like not seeing terrain in the rocks.

 

[Henning]

And didn't like it a bit.

Departed DWX a little before 5 a.m., dawn in the east and a full moon. Down side was lots of moisture in the air so hazy which is really unusual out here.

It was still too dark for terrain clearance. Ended up circling over the field to climb to 11.5 which was my en-route altitude. Used the terrain page on the 430w to help with routing. Not a good situation at all but the engine looked good on the monitor and I pressed through.

I didn't do it blindly, I monitored the terrain page on the way over on Friday morning and knew that it provided good info on clearance for that particular route. Friday's trip was at 10.5 so there was a little more margin this morning.

Long story made short, if ya gotta depend on the x30w for clearance, it works but it sure wasn't comfortable flying into/over nothing but black. I'm not planning to repeat this little escapade in the near future.

For the nannies: I was solo and the forecast was good other than temperatures & dew points within 4 C. SAR folks would have had good weather if there was anything left to recover...

This is where SVT and a second engine come in with some "warm fuzzies"....

 

[Clark1961]

Instrument charts could help in this scenario. MSA circle from an Approach chart, and fly out as if it were an instrument departure up to MEA after calculating climb gradient per mile.

I suppose it could help if unfamiliar with the area. I definitely wouldn't have tried this particular evolution if I hadn't made the trip many times and knew the terrain around the airport.

Of course, there are no approaches to DWX. They do have really nice lights though. I'm wondering how often they get used. The terrain is low to the west but anything else would be "come in high until over the lights then circle down and land from the west. Don't go missed." Definitely not for me.

 

[Richard]

I would be interested in hearing how you briefed the departure.

Henning, what is SVT?

 

[Everskyward]

I've used the technique of circling up over the town when it's dark until you're high enough that you know you are going to clear the terrain. Then hope the clouds aren't lower than that. I'll agree that it's a little uncomfortable but we only did in in places where we were pretty familiar.

 

[Clark1961]

I would be interested in hearing how you briefed the departure.

'bout like any other night "black hole" departure. If she quits before 1,000' agl plan on landing out. There are a few open areas near the scattered houses so it would be an "aim for the lights" thing. I did start turning back to the airport before 1,000' so it was a better option sooner.

I've been into the airport many times and know what the options are. The interesting part of this particular evolution was dealing with being unable to see the terrain en-route to the east.

 

[Wingsofglass]

I would be interested in hearing how you briefed the departure.

Henning, what is SVT?

SVT = Synthetic Vision. Greatest safety advance in aviation in the last 30 years for IFR travel.