A bit too narrow for comfort...
I thought they had flight restrictions in the Grand Canyon.
Well maybe not in 1996, alledgedly the time the pic was taken.
Well maybe not in 1996, alledgedly the time the pic was taken.
I flew the Grand Canyon for several years. We often landed down inside the canyon, and at a number of dirt airstrips in the canyon and along the rims. I've flow tours there, taken river runners in and out, flown in fuel and supplies, and made numerous landings in there.
Yes, there are restrictions in the Grand Canyon National Park area, known as the Special Federal Avaition Regualtion SFAR 50-2. Yes, this regulation was in effect in 1996.
However, if the picture is taken somewhere other than the Grand Canyon, then the issue of the SFAR is really a non-issue.
I've spent much of my career at low level in mountainous terrain as seen in the picture in a variety of light airplanes...and am back doing it again this year on firefighting duties. Properly done, it's not dangerous. Improperly done and with inadequate preparation, it's suicidal.
As for winds in the canyons; sometimes it's very calm, sometimes the turbulence is extreme. One must take into account a number of factors in determining what to expect, and what will be encountered.
I've spent a lot of time in 172's, 206's, 207's and the like, landing down in the Grand Canyon. I've had the power at idle in a 172, nearly full nose down trim, and still climbing at 3,000 fpm in updrafts in the canyon...and likewise with full power, Vy, descending at two thousand or more feet per minute. I've flown 207's with 7 passengers, three airsick bags at each seat, and each one full when we landed...21 airsick bags full from 7 passengers over the course of an hour and a half. I've also been in turbulence in the Grand Canyon and many other mountainous locations which was so severe I couldn't see the instrument panel save for a blur.
Other days, it's dead-calm and a beautiful ride. Knowing when and where to expect and encounter the lift, sink, turbulence, and best ride is important, as is understanding and embracing the water principle of mountain flying. Water flows downhill, and so do you. Terrain will always outclimb the airplane, and the concept of "canyon turns" is fluff and foolishness. Plan all actions to have a downhill and down canyon escape, never fly up a canyon, always leave yourself an out, never count on aircraft performance to get you out of a situaiton, and learn to use the natural rhythms of the canyon; the lift, the sink, updrafts and air currents to enhance aircraft performance. Be conservative.
