National Weather Service is a good place to start. But there are other sources available. And the best source just might be the "pilots who were actually flying in the damn stuff." Isn't that what pilots do? Relay to each other and the tower what the current conditions are so that other pilots will get a heads up. Himmelsbach was a WW2 pilot and flew his own plane while serving as an FBI agent. Other agents up in Seattle are pilots. Seasoned commercial pilots fly in and out of PDX all the time, knowing what the conditions might be during certain months of the year. These are all good sources. And if you want to hear about "gorge effect" winds barreling out of the Cascades, Georger might elaborate. Or, not.
As I stated previously, I am well aware that the FBI has lawyers working in the organization. I am also aware that they have pilots and a lot of people with other skills and talents. But I don't think you are their spokesman.
The one point where Bohan's weather claims can be directly compared with actual measured weather is his landing at Portland. Bohan claims about a 25-30 knot direct crosswind component. The highest ground wind speed measured at Portland that day/night was only about 10 knots. Can you explain where the rest of Bohan's wind came from?
I am well aware of what pilot's inflight weather reports consist of and their purpose. But I do not believe in "faith based" weather claims.
Nor do I believe that there is a Great Ascended Weather Master who passes all his/her wisdom to his/her disciples and other true believers who must accept his/her claims without question. And, of course, the claims of the GAWM cannot be measured by the National Weather Service. Just believe them!
I have previously made it a point to take a good look at the topography of the Columbia River gorge in person. I am not particularly impressed by its capability to channel high winds. On the night of the hijacking, the surface wind was from the west and southwest and reported at about 10 knots at the Portland Airport. It is at least 20 miles further east to the entrance to the Columbia River gorge. Pasco, on the east end of that gorge, was also reporting surface winds of about 10 knots that evening.
Basically, the weather in Seattle, Portland, and further south the evening of the hijacking was relatively stable and improving. There was a frontal passage earlier that day, but it was well past Seattle when the airliner left there. But the clouds, overcasts, some rain showers, etc., that evening is not something that would pose a problem to an aircraft such as a 727. So I would appreciate an explanation from Bohan about how he determined he had an 80 knot headwind from the south.
Robert99
... and I havent seen anything
in actual wx facts to warrant Bohan's report, either. I have
been very persistent about keeping the door open to anything that would ground Bohan's alleged
report ... but nothing has ever surfaced of a factual nature to lock down "Himmelsbach's"
comments regarding Bohan's remarks (in some meeting etc). Let's keep track of the fact where
this comes from - Himmelsbach! Not Bohan! It's Himmelsbach's claim(s). I even tried to talk to
people who knew Ken Hastings, Dir of the airport, supposedly Bohan's personal friend and thee
person to whom Bohan supposedly filed his report .... and nada. I got nowhere with nothing to
even document such a report was ever filed. And still I leave the door open ... but the door is
closing.
The irony of all of this to me is we don't even need some special 'winds' factor, if anything like
the Dawson FP is true, or if the jump time on the FBI/NWA map is extended (which at this point
isn't that difficult to do).
Anything that brings Cooper closer to water, the drainage basin
feeding the Columbia, or the Columbia itself, increasing the chances (and helps explain) $money$
winding up at Tina Bar. Once anything gets within the hydrological zone that feeds Tina Bar,
finding money on Tina Bar is almost a slam-dunk.
It's facts we lack, not theories and scenarios.
Himmelsbach is the person who promulgated the story - not Bohan! Himmelsbach also said
"fragments at three feet". The fact a central figure like 'H' would even write a book about a
supposedly important case, supposedly still open and active - disturbs me! I guess some retired
guys are allowed to indulge?" The Portland office wasn't even in charge of the case!
