Wind Farms - GA Near Misses

[patrickthepilot]

Hi Guys/Gals,

Would be interested to hear of any stories of near misses with Wind Farm Turbines from any civ operators. I realise this may probably be covered in similar threads elsewhere and have posted in the Mil Aircrew Forum also

I haven't low flown for a couple of years, but have recently heard some tales of near misses in marginal weather and wondered if it was on the increase or just one-offs.

PS I'm not a journo looking for a story, just ex-mil with a passing interest.

[Ryan5252]

but have recently heard some tales of near misses in marginal weather

We have quite a few of them in my neck of the woods and they make for a handy reference points for old school VFR flying. The point you make about marginal weather is interesting. I have overflown them many times but it must be considered the virtue of wind farms is they are placed on hill tops and passing over them often leaves little space between them and cloud ceiling above. That said I wouldn't fly over them unless there was I what estimate to be about 800' seperation and consideration is also given to the winds in the area and resulting downdrafts one may encounter. This may also be a factor in the number of near misses.

Flying over them can provide a substantial short cut but one often has the opportunity to do a 180 and fly around the hill if prevailing conditions dictate.

[ivorPhillips]

http://www.bea.aero/docspa/2008/n-te...n-te080404.pdf

Report in French of a Beech baron loosing both wingtips flying through a windfarm in fog in april 2008, a brown pants moment i would assume
a couple of photo's in the report are worth looking at

[NorthSouth]

Not sure whether to applaud him for his luck or condemn his stupidity

NS