Another forecasting link:

http://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/viewer/ru ... 1/current/

.

Nice work Zane, I think this is a very important subject, I've been very concerned with most all pilots attitudes regarding flying in smoke conditions. What if you look to get this published by AOPA, maybe they at least put a link to your article somewhere to reach more pilots?

One thing I didn't notice in the article is to be aware of how visibility distance can change with the light direction. That is, you can have 3 miles slant angle with the sun at your back and if you get into trouble and turn around you wouldn't want to then find that the visibility distance is less going toward the sun.

I use this smoke forecasting resource but it takes a minute to figure out.
http://airquality.weather.gov/sectors/pacnorthwest.php?period=2#tabs
It should take you to the "air quality" tab, then scroll or click across the grey hour squares next to vertical smoke (you can also look at surface smoke) and change the 12 hour periods above the squares. You can also adjust the forecasting area in the map. For me the visibility gets to be less than 3 miles at a concentration of about 20-25.

qmdv wrote:
Now as far as the frog goes. At age 11 is when I heard the boiling frog story. It was in church and had something to getting used to sin ever so slowly. Well at the first opportunity I tried to boil a live frog. As the water warmed up I think he enjoyed the experience. After a while he jumped right out of the pot. Maybe there was a Darwin effect here as all the dumb frogs had already been boiled to death.

Tim

Try the microwave and report back.

The thread has been really one of the most interesting and educational all summer for me Zane. It's extremely relevant for lots of us at the moment which is partly why it's been so interesting I guess. Timing for these topics probably has a lot to do with how much some of us get out of it and although we should approach all topics with the same attention I don't and others are probably the same. Impeccable timing on your behalf in any case.

The write up I thought was great, traffic awareness, visibility and all that added to the similar write ups guys did on situations experienced and tips all put together really makes for an invaluable read before flying in smokey conditions. The last page 3 with the three or four separate experience's was super interesting and also great for tips, pre-thinking issues, flight planning and actions that could help in a lot of different situations as well. One personally about vis turning from a couple of miles to very minimal quickly depending on winds was a very good tip I thought. Even turning downwind in a valley clogged up with more smoke than others and vis diminishing quick got that repeating in my head on one flight for a quick turn around back to a better route. The glassy lake without visible shoreline, although I think on the feedback thread was another good one along with a bunch of others. I think the threads awesome, when it's a little less relevant of a topic if it turns into a long one, a shorter summary of the whole thread would be a really great read as well.

Anyway long story short, a great read and good job like always by yourself and all the contributors to make it so, thanks a bunch!

Thanks all who have contributed. I think I've worked in most of these thoughts, and used some quotes here and there.

A very well written article Zane. There is something in there for everyone to benifit from.

Only minutes ago I cancelled a trip out east that my friend and I were REALLY looking forward to. I hated doing it. However, reading your article and seeing the associated pictures made me feel a lot better about my decision...the right decision. I actually breathed a sigh of relief. What a "not fun" and dangerous trip that would have been. So, thanks!

CW

clippwagon wrote:A very well written article Zane. There is something in there for everyone to benifit from.

Only minutes ago I cancelled a trip out east that my friend and I were REALLY looking forward to. I hated doing it. However, reading your article and seeing the associated pictures made me feel a lot better about my decision...the right decision. I actually breathed a sigh of relief. What a "not fun" and dangerous trip that would have been. So, thanks!

CW

I scrubbed a vacation flight to see my friends in California a few weeks ago when I got on route and lost the horizon at 2,000 and I headed back to the airport, parked the plane, put my girl and baggage in the car and drove off.

I felt BAD but knew I did the right thing.

I was very relieved to come here and get support for my decision, and I/we support you for yours.

Good flying there! Well done!