The coastal “Oregon Tradewinds” and winds aloft will be light tomorrow (early morning). Might be a good day tomorrow to check out some snow in the Cascades. Sisters (6K5) is a convenient airport in the general area for fuel etc.. Density altitude is starting to get much higher in the desert. (20) days until the solstice and temperatures will be 90F (NWS forecast for Bend and Sister @ 15:00 PDT tomorrow).

Sample Density Altitude equation for Sisters with forecasted temperature:


Typical route with fuel in Albany:


High desert can have very high density altitude:


NWS forecast for Sisters:

07:00 PDT @ 6K5

My VIRB didn’t record the flight. Note: make sure to format the SD before each flight or the Android will add hidden files and directories, which doesn’t allow the VIRB to record.

Great flight and many hidden LZs.

Did you actually stop at that lava rock strip at Santiam Pass? I fly over it all the time on the way from UAO to 6K5. Sisters is a pretty fun place with a fixed wing. I cant imagine they get much rotor guys in there.

Josef wrote:Did you actually stop at that lava rock strip at Santiam Pass? I fly over it all the time on the way from UAO to 6K5. Sisters is a pretty fun place with a fixed wing. I cant imagine they get much rotor guys in there.

I generally use Santiam Junction State Airstrip (8S3) as a VFR waypoint. But, that’s about it. Never been to Lava Rock Airstrip either. I’m pretty much just learning the terrain out there. Pretty country!