Critical Locations MET

[Aerodynamisist]

With every for cast I get for area 20 I see critical locations posted as Mt Victoria and Murrurundi. today there listed as cavok. I Haven't ever flown over these points but they don't look like anything special on the map, so what is so special about them and why do these critical locations come about ?

[sancho]

Because they are bloody great mountains, or narrow gaps in ranges. The reason they are quoted is so VFR guys dont blast out of BK or similar going west and blunder into cumulus granite.

[hoss]

Good observation Aerodynamisist ,

So what defines a critical location on an ARFOR, if it is CAVOK then is it really critical. Sancho, if it is critical due to its topography then why mention it on an ARFOR when CAVOK? If the winds/turbulence are forecast to be high perhaps fair enough but otherwise?

I have rang up the BoM/ASA many times with similar questions and never really got straight answers . My guess on this one is complacency and habit.

Fly safe, hoss

[Hugh Jarse]

As Sancho wrote.

To elaborate, the places named as critical locations are typically low areas in regions of high ground (mountain ranges) through which VFR pilots plan to enter/exit. Typically, to/from Sydney, Mt Vic gets you west, Bowral gets you south/southwest, and Murrurundi Gap gets you through towards Tamworth.

If the Wx is forecast to be crappy at these locations, then it's a fairly good chance you will be unable to get over the ranges VFR (below the cloud).

Kilmore Gap is aptly named, don't you reckon?

[Feather #3]

If I've got the logic correct Hoss, we no longer need to publish a TAFOR for any location that's CAVOK? Thus, if it's missing from a list you want, you just go 'cause you know it's alright??

Or did I miss the point?

G'day

[redsnail]

Hey Feather #3,
I reckon you'll be flat out seeing "CAVOK" at EGLL for the next couple of months.

EGLL 301626Z 310018 11013KT 9000 -RA BKN016 TEMPO 0003 09016G26KT 4500 RA BKN012 BECMG 0205 18006KT 9999 NSW PROB40 0310 3500 BR -DZ BKN005 TEMPO 1018 7000 SHRA PROB30 TEMPO 1217 4000 +SHRA BKN020CB

Nice huh?

[compressor stall]

Jeez Reddo,

if the taf's more than three lines long, I don't go!