Vertical motions in the jet stream

Abstract

Flight measurements presented here suggest that bands of weak vertical motions (order of 1 m/s), 50 to 100 km wide parallel the jet stream core on its right (southern) side over most of its length. They may suffice to support a sailplane of very high performance. In cyclonically curved jet streams, strong and turbulent vertical motions occur at locations where the trough line intersects a zone of strong horizontal wind shear. If the problem of injecting the sailplane at the proper altitude and position can be solved, flights over very large distances near the 10 km level should be  attempted.