Exploring the monster: Mountain lee waves : the aerial elevator by Whelan, Robert F (2000) Paperback

If you're into the history of gliding and dig fireside story telling you'll enjoy this book.

A must read for any pilot. Great story of the history involved with researching Mountain Waves.

This book is interesting as a history book. It shows that simple gliders can be incredible tools for understanding the atmosphere. It shows that the project instigator, Dr. Küttner did an incredible job in explaining a phenomenon that has caused many aiplane crashes, even today. Mountain waves can be more vicious than thunderstorms and the turbulence in a rotor cloud can be more violent than inside a cumulonimbus as Larry Edgar experienced it (he broke his glider). However, the book does not explain what a rotor is, or the principle of mountain waves. An appendix exposing the theory would have been helpful. A non pilot will get lost from the beginning. I did not see in the book a diagram showing the pair rotor/wave. Also, the book does not present a history of the understanding of mountain waves. This book is unfortunately purely narrative.

Well written history of the Sierra Wave Project.If you have any interest in soaring, the U.S. Space Program, aviation, or weather this is a must read.

I picked this up at Spellbinder Books in Bishop recently, and I couldn't put it down.A bunch of ordinary guys using hobby sailplanes to explore up to 45,000ft above the Sierra Nevada mountains, soaring in a P-38 fighter plane with the engines off, fighting monster rotor turbulence and figuring out how to survive at the edge of space. This book has it all - drama, characters, tradgedy, history and, of course, meterology. Its never dry, never overly technical, and always fast-paced and gripping. Someone in hollywood should take a look at this book.If you're even slightly interested in spectacular and unusual courage and adventure, or if you're interested in the sky and how to survive in it, then this book is for you. I can't recommend it enough.

I found this book at the Pilot Shop at DPA, I know they had a few copies left. I really enjoyed it, it's a great exploration of lee waves, rotor clouds, and mountain weather by the soaring enthusiasts and scientists that made the understanding of them possible. Lots of great pix (black and white, but most of high quality). Well written, this book was one of those gems that are a thrill to find. Hope you enjoy it too!

Interesting read for folks interested in mountain wave flying and its discovery.

Anybody with an interest in the Sierra Nevada and weather will enjoy this book. It is an invaluable history of the first work done on mountain lee waves.

A fantastic account of a remarkable time for both the sport of gliding and the understanding of the power of mountain lee waves. Essential reading for any glider pilot or interested reader in the history of practical or aviation meteorology.