wave soaring from wave soaring from ByronByron

Ramy YanetzRamy YanetzFebruary 2012February 2012

Byron WaveByron Wave Byron wave season Nov-MarchByron wave season Nov-March Pre frontal wave is best during the hours before Pre frontal wave is best during the hours before

the onset of rain with increasing SW winds. the onset of rain with increasing SW winds. Pre Frontal Wave can be found anywhere Pre Frontal Wave can be found anywhere

between Byron and Los Vaqueros reservoirbetween Byron and Los Vaqueros reservoir Often marked with Lenticular clouds or foehn Often marked with Lenticular clouds or foehn

gapsgaps Pre frontal wave can be over wide area between Pre frontal wave can be over wide area between

Mt Diablo to Mt Oso along the mountain rangeMt Diablo to Mt Oso along the mountain range

Diablo North wind WaveDiablo North wind Wave Usually during high pressure off shore events from Nov – Usually during high pressure off shore events from Nov –

MarchMarch Requires NNW-NE winds above 20 knots aloftRequires NNW-NE winds above 20 knots aloft Usually not marked by clouds Usually not marked by clouds Wave is typically weak (1-2 knots) Wave is typically weak (1-2 knots) Very small area (1 square mile) between Wave1 and Class Very small area (1 square mile) between Wave1 and Class

BravoBravo Use your trace to stay in the sweet spot.Use your trace to stay in the sweet spot. move over class bravo if necessary when above 10K.move over class bravo if necessary when above 10K. Typical altitude 12-18KTypical altitude 12-18K Due to significant sink surrounding the wave it is crucial to tow Due to significant sink surrounding the wave it is crucial to tow

all the way to the wave. all the way to the wave. Wave1 waypoint in the database: Wave1 waypoint in the database:

37:50.85N,121:54.43W,1000F37:50.85N,121:54.43W,1000F

Los Vaqueros North Wind WaveLos Vaqueros North Wind Wave

Closer than Mt DiabloCloser than Mt Diablo More room - further from class bravo More room - further from class bravo Move towards Mt Diablo wave and over Move towards Mt Diablo wave and over

class bravo if necessary when above 10K.class bravo if necessary when above 10K. Wave3 waypoint in the database Wave3 waypoint in the database

37:47:33N,121:50:38W,762F37:47:33N,121:50:38W,762F

Wave locationsWave locations

How to recognize good wave dayHow to recognize good wave day Look for pre frontal conditions or off shore eventsLook for pre frontal conditions or off shore events Check NAM Blipmap for winds above 15 knots from Check NAM Blipmap for winds above 15 knots from

North or SW (Ignore all the thermal related North or SW (Ignore all the thermal related parameters) parameters)

Check Check RASP wave parametersRASP wave parameters, especially the 750m , especially the 750m model (available late in the prior evening) model (available late in the prior evening)

Check the vertical velocities and the Mt Diablo Cross Check the vertical velocities and the Mt Diablo Cross section. section.

Should be over 100 cm/s (2 knots) for a usable wave.Should be over 100 cm/s (2 knots) for a usable wave. Check wind on top of Mt Diablo online or phone. Check wind on top of Mt Diablo online or phone.

Look for north or SW wind above 20 knotsLook for north or SW wind above 20 knots Check the soundingsCheck the soundings

Airspace ConsiderationsAirspace Considerations Use your moving map to stay outside of Use your moving map to stay outside of

class bravo until above 10,000 feetclass bravo until above 10,000 feet Make sure you can stay above the ceiling Make sure you can stay above the ceiling

even if encountering strong sinkeven if encountering strong sink Transponder is crucial near Mt Diablo and Transponder is crucial near Mt Diablo and

over class bravoover class bravo Contact Norcal Approach at 125.35 for Contact Norcal Approach at 125.35 for

permission to enter lass bravo or to alert permission to enter lass bravo or to alert them of your presence near class bravothem of your presence near class bravo

Oxygen ConsiderationsOxygen Considerations

O2 is required above 14,000 feetO2 is required above 14,000 feet Up to 30 minutes above 12,500 without O2Up to 30 minutes above 12,500 without O2

XC in waveXC in wave In systematic wave such as pre frontal In systematic wave such as pre frontal

wave you can go long way perpendicular wave you can go long way perpendicular to the wind (from Mt Diablo to Mt Oso and to the wind (from Mt Diablo to Mt Oso and further)further)

In North wind wave, you can go directly In North wind wave, you can go directly downwind (or up wind) to the next wave downwind (or up wind) to the next wave barbar

Look for additional wave bars downwind of Look for additional wave bars downwind of SW facing mountainsSW facing mountains