flight track of my EasyStar2 during a strong downdraft

[William Premerlani]

Team,

My EasyStar2 was in a strong downdraft today. I happened to have recorded the flight data, it was dropping 22 feet per second (1320 feet per minute) for several seconds. I could see it dropping while at the same time is was approximately level, at first I thought the wings must have dropped off, because it was not pitching down very much. I have never seen anything quite like it before.

Attached is the flight track that shows a vertical step down. You can also see the plane backing up a little bit, and pitching down a little bit, apparently due to the air currents. The controls were reacting to try to get the nose back up.

The wind today at the field was 11 miles per hour from the west as reported both by the weather report and the flight data.

Winds from that direction often lead to tricky flying at our field, they blow over some tall pines, as well as through a corridor.

Anyway, is was fun to watch. I was not too worried once I realized the wings had not fallen off.

Best regards,

Bill