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Examples
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I called center and asked them how the rides thru that airspace was turb wise and for recommendations. They were kinda surprised at the question and said something along the lines of mountain wave doesn’t equal bad rides. I thought rapidly gaining or losing altitude was the epitome of turbulence.
Mountain wave… turbulence? athlaka916 2025
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In brief, mountain waves happen when strong winds from a stable airmass at altitude blow perpendicular to a mountain range and when there is a big contrast between wind speeds at high and low altitude.
Emily Lakdawalla, Uranus Expert (@elakdawalla.bsky.social) 2025
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Mountain waves, like any wave, have troughs and ridges. As you encounter a mountain wave, your aircraft will pitch up as you fly into the ridge, and pitch down as you fly into the trough.
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