How Mountain Wave Systems Work, with Lenticular and Rotor Clouds

Correction needed: The rotor clouds are rotating in the wrong direction in these diagrams :)

Sailplanes love flying in Wave! Almost as much as the glider pilots in the cockpit. Learn about how wave systems work, what conditions are needed to set up this weather phenomenon, and see the kinds of amazing lenticular cloud formations that can be created by mother nature. See rotor or roll clouds and learn about the extreme turbulence they can create.

Thanks Geoff Becket for permission to use images of the Wave system:

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📷 Equipment Used to Make this Video:

00:00 Intro
00:53 How wave systems form
01:38 What weather conditions wave needs
02:18 Multiple levels of wave
02:38 Lenticulars
03:43 Roll Clouds / Rotor
04:18 How high can gliders fly in wave?
05:34 Climbing in Wave Timelapse

[matthewriddioughboylan]

Years ago I worked with a pilot that flew an RAF Jet Provost in a wave, he shut everything down and stayed up there for hours using the same gliding principles. He only did it once as his squadron got worried and even alerted search and rescue when he didn't return for hours. When he did return they were very surprised to find he still had 1/2 full fuel tanks. Great video and great flying. Thanks

[maggiezoerner]

Not a pilot, but I am a meteorology student studying different mechanisms that create circulations in the atmosphere, and of course mountain waves are one of them! Thanks for the great info!

[Sorarse]

I gave up flying gliders, and sold my glider, many, many years ago. My flying was all done before the internet was a thing, the smallest camera available was the size of a brick, and all navigation was done using a map and compass, so the ability to share experiences and footage such as you have on your Youtube channel was just a distant dream. I still managed to acieve 2 diamonds, missing out on the 500km, despite a handful of attempts. Living in the SE corner of the UK, which is dominated by relatively low controlled airspace (thankyou Gatwick and Heathrow) and large stretches of water in more than one direction, made such flights extremely difficult to achieve. I would have loved to experience flying a glider in New Zealand, as I know you have a number of clubs and some excellent soaring conditions. Keep up the good work, you are helping to refresh a lot of fond memories.

[mikeeast]

I've been looking for a concise explanation of Wave systems for a while. I need look no further, thank you!

[thekruizenga]

that time-lapse at the end is super awesome. like an elevator going up :D

[alianjohnson]

'we're not scarred of a bit of turbulence' - priceless - thanks for the video

[daszieher]

The wave makes the glider a jet plane. Smooth, constant lift. Intoxicating!

[wackaircaftmechanic]

Just ordered a rainbow discus shirt and I'm quite excited. Good video!

[Kimdino]

I've dreamy about wave soaring ever since I first read about it. Absolute top of my bucket list. I've managed the first step towards achieving it in that I know what a glider looks like. ;)

[sidtp]

Love all your videos. Even as a glider pilot with a PhD in Aerospace, I find them very informative and entertaining.

[enjoyelements]

I love the NZ accent, ahbe been there in 2008 and love your humor, Keep on going and greetings from Switzerland (LSPO)

[colinkellynz]

. . . another great tutorial along with spectacular footage. Thanks Tim.

[willhibbardii]

Catch a wave and your sitting on top of the world... Great video Tim!

[DaveHines]

I remember many years ago, battling with turbulent ridge lift for about half an hour, before managing to climb into the bottom of the wave, a few minutes in “calm” air, and I was just below the airway at FL65, that was my first experience of wave, happy memories 😃

[robertking]

Excellent introduction. Ties a lot of loose ends regarding my understanding of waves.

[asadsbz]

Outstanding explanation in brief and consize words

[GregoryBrown]

I’m envious of you having mountains, here in South Alabama on the Gulf Coast its pretty flat. But Soaring is amazing and we get some pretty good Cumulus Thermals here. Keep doing what you do and thank you for sharing.

[gliderfs]

I can’t stop to watch videos and reports of gliders flying in waves… I hope I will fly myself one day 🤞

[sarelventer]

Nice video, Tim. Those clouds are spectacular, even more so when flying close to them.

[kirkmason]

Always a pleasure hearing you talk about flying gliders. Especially the fundamentals. Understanding cloud formation is essential. Look forward to the next. Thanks