Here’s a topic rarely discussed, especially where I live. How many times have you had to bail on a tight LZ because you absolutely cannot see? Not talking about feeling your way down on 7000’ of pavement. How do you ag guys deal with it when working wire patches?

We actually work the more awkward way, making many more short runs cross sun. A huge advantage of a small, slow airplane like Pawnee, Cessna, or CallAir is that we are carrying 150 gallons or less. We can get rid of a large percentage of the load doing clean up first cross sun. Next load the sun will be higher.

Other things like weather being equal, I always started my 3500 mile pipeline loop going west.

I have never used sunglasses or visor, including military, that works as well as my fist to block dangerous sun angle. Hold your fist up in the windscreen and look around it. Tiring, but it always works well.

contactflying wrote:...

I have never used sunglasses or visor, including military, that works as well as my fist to block dangerous sun angle. Hold your fist up in the windscreen and look around it. Tiring, but it always works well.

IMHO, holding my fist up to block the sun is just a marginal 'fix'. I'm pretty sure that 'S & A' is at the very best not very effective to useless under those unhappy flights tonthe east or west when sun angle is flat.

I usually have a helmet on. The smoke lens helps some for sure. The other day I tried the hand blocking the sun thing, but quickly figured out I needed that one for the throttle. I ended up waiting on a sand bar for the better part of an hour. The view was nice but it wasn’t where I wanted to be. [emoji1]

Make sure you NEVER clean a windshield using a swirl motion like most people do, this leaves little micro circular scratches that appear big time when you fly into the sun. Make vertical strokes when cleaning the windshield. Make sure all dust and dirt are rinsed off with water first before spraying your favorite cleaner on. Spraying cleaner on a windshield with dust or dirt then wiping only cuts small scratches into the plastic from the grit and abrasion of the dust or dirt. Remember, vertical motions and not swirl motions. This will go a long way in helping with the sun.

Kurt

G44 wrote:Make sure you NEVEAR clean a windshield using a swirl motion like most people do, this leaves little micro circular scratches that appear big time when you fly into the sun. Make vertical strokes when cleaning the windshield. Make sure all dust and dirt are rinsed off with water first before spraying your favorite cleaner on. Spraying cleaner on a windshield with dust or dirt then wiping only cuts small scratches into the plastic from the grit and abrasion of the dust or dirt. Remember, vertical motions and not swirl motions. This will go a long way in helping with the sun.

Kurt

That’s a good tip!

Very good tip. If some damage is possible because we are spraying (crop dusting) corrosive material, we at least want no horizontal scratches. They look like a wire. I have had to use gas to remove some spray drift. One reason we never go negative g.

See, Im not just a pretty face. I am good for sumthin!

Kurt

I've had to bail on several landings because of the low sun, usually tougher strips like Deadwood. About the only thing bad about where I live is that I fly directly east to get to the Frank Church.... about a 20 minute flight. Because most flying is done first thing, it can get pretty bad, especially with a previously abused windscreen.

My plan is to get a new windscreen at annual and then be very protective of the way its cleaned.

I have learned, almost the hard way, to not attempt landing my strip just as the sun pops over the ridgeline immediately behind my strip. I don't know the physics of it, but for some reason it is much more intense then plain old landing into the sun. 15 minutes later, it's normal "sun in your eyes", not great but doable, but that first little bit as it pops over the ridge is blinding. I suppose it's the change from being in the shadow to full sun, but it is something I really watch for no matter where I am but especially my own place.

When I pull onto a jobsite with my 30 ton boomtruck, I have learned to try and find a spot where the damn sun will at my back if at all possible, right in my eyes is not good, and I will caution the crew I'm working with "I can't see sh*t." Again, the first few minutes as it appears is always the worst.

gbflyer wrote:

G44 wrote:Make sure you NEVEAR clean a windshield using a swirl motion like most people do, this leaves little micro circular scratches that appear big time when you fly into the sun. Make vertical strokes when cleaning the windshield. Make sure all dust and dirt are rinsed off with water first before spraying your favorite cleaner on. Spraying cleaner on a windshield with dust or dirt then wiping only cuts small scratches into the plastic from the grit and abrasion of the dust or dirt. Remember, vertical motions and not swirl motions. This will go a long way in helping with the sun.

Kurt

That’s a good tip!

Andy Bibber taught me that trick. I've been doing it for a few years now and it makes a huge difference! Annoys me to fly behind swirly's now.
Another good trick is to let your buddy lead!

Try Rosen Visors if you can get them for your A/C