Simviation Forum

May 9^th, 2005 at 3:41pm

TacitBlue Offline
Colonel
That's right, I have my
own logo.
Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA

Gender:
Posts: 5391

I was wondering - How windy is too windy? In terms of flying small planes, specifically Cessna 172. The reason Im asking is because in the spring and fall we have sustained winds upwards of 35mph here. lately it has been around 10 - 15mph. I will be taking my first flight hopefully this weekend and I would like to know if I should wait untill it is less windy, or is it OK?

A&P Mechanic, Rankin Aircraft 78Y

Aircraft are naturally beautiful because form follows function. -TB

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #1 - May 9^th, 2005 at 4:04pm

C Offline
Colonel
Earth

Posts: 13144

All depends on the aeroplane, who's flying it etc...

Flying the C152 when I first learned to fly, some of the clubs instructors were happy with 25kt crosswinds, others weren't.

Flying the Grob Tutor the max wind limit (off the top of my head was 40kts, with a max crosswind of 25kts).

Flying in any aircraft with a parachute of ejector seat, any wind over 30-35kts is going to be painful if you have to get out, whatever the aeroplane can handle...

Having said that, on your first flight you aren't likely to be in control for take off or landing, or much in the circuit, so you might be ok. Ask the instructor - if he's happy to take you on your first trip, then it'll be fine...

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #2 - May 9^th, 2005 at 4:59pm

Brett_Henderson Offline
Colonel
EVERY OUTER MARKER SHOULD
BE AN NDB

Gender:
Posts: 3593

The published maximum crosswind component for a 172 is 15knots (that's if it's a direct 90 degree crosswind).. Obviously higher if it's somewhere between a headwind/crosswind. To even a low-time pilot though, you'll find that a bit on the cautious side. 20 knot crosswinds are quite manageable.

The bigger concern is the gust differential. If the difference between the base-wind and the gust-wind is more than 1/2 the base-wind AND it's near 15 knots AND it's at 90 degrees... it can test the best pilot.. especially in ground effect.

For your first time in a small plane.. I'd be more concerned about the gusty stuff. Besides.. no instructor will put himself.. let alone you, in danger. If he says it's a go.. I'd go !

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #3 - May 9^th, 2005 at 6:43pm

beaky Offline
Global Moderator
Uhhhh.... yup!
Newark, NJ USA

Gender:
Posts: 14187

My "thumbnail" limit for the C172 is about a 20-kt wind up to about 70 degrees from center. Very interesting, but workable (I recall taking off/landing with nearly that intensity at least once).
The published limits represent a maximum demonstrated crosswind, so it's possible a really good pilot could deal with worse. But I wouldn't advise it, and I'm sure your instructor will tell you what your max. is for the moment.
But the best way, of course, to answer your question would be to use a flight computer to calculate the xwind comp. before you fly, and compare that to the aircraft manual's limits, right?
Don't rule out a whole season based on long-term forecasts- check the wind the day you're going to fly, and decide then. And don't be afraid of a little wind- it's good for honing your flying skills.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #4 - May 9^th, 2005 at 7:36pm

Hagar Offline
Colonel
My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159

Not sure how they do it now but in my day the flying club/school made the rules. Your instructor will decide whether you fly or not depending on the weather, your experience & what you're going to do during the lesson. It's always advisable to give them a ring before leaving for the airfield.

Founder & Sole Member - Grumpy's Over the Hill Club for Veteran Virtual Aviators
Member of the Fox Four Group

Need help? Try Grumpy's Lair

My photo gallery

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #5 - May 10^th, 2005 at 5:43am

cobzz Offline
Colonel
Melbourne, Australia

Gender:
Posts: 406

i dont kno
but 737s its around 35knots 90 degree wind

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #6 - May 10^th, 2005 at 9:49am

TacitBlue Offline
Colonel
That's right, I have my
own logo.
Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA

Gender:
Posts: 5391

Thanks guys, I guess Ill play it by ear then.

A&P Mechanic, Rankin Aircraft 78Y

Aircraft are naturally beautiful because form follows function. -TB

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #7 - May 10^th, 2005 at 10:27am

beaky Offline
Global Moderator
Uhhhh.... yup!
Newark, NJ USA

Gender:
Posts: 14187

For now, definitely defer to your CFI, but there's no reason why you can't start figuring this stuff out by yourself, for practice if nothing else. Eventually it'll be your call, and if you don't know how to do it, you may get yourself in a bit of a "situation".
Reminds me that once, before I'd even soloed, it was a rather blustery day at TEB, and my CFI asked me if I thought we should do our lesson anyway. It was a spot test- no time to calculate it- but I based my "no-go" on the fact that the wind (crosswind to both runways) was pushing the door closed against my back as I started the interior preflight check. I was leaning back on it, the wind was gusting so hard. And with a front approaching, it'd have gotten even worse before the lesson was over. I didn't even need to hear the ATIS to know that was out-of-limits.
He agreed with me. Grin

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #8 - May 12^th, 2005 at 9:11am

TacitBlue Offline
Colonel
That's right, I have my
own logo.
Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA

Gender:
Posts: 5391

Well, its official. I am going for my first flight this saturday at 18:00! weather permitting of course, they told me to call first just to make sure. I cant wait!

A&P Mechanic, Rankin Aircraft 78Y

Aircraft are naturally beautiful because form follows function. -TB

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #9 - May 14^th, 2005 at 10:53pm

TacitBlue Offline
Colonel
That's right, I have my
own logo.
Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA

Gender:
Posts: 5391

Damned wind... I called the airport when I was ready to go, and they said it was way to windy, gusting up to 40mph Angry

. So, I have an appointment to go tomarrow morning... we'll see.

A&P Mechanic, Rankin Aircraft 78Y

Aircraft are naturally beautiful because form follows function. -TB

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #10 - May 15^th, 2005 at 3:02pm

Rocket_Bird Offline
Colonel
Canada

Gender:
Posts: 1214

Ya sometimes the gusty winds can really bump up those 172s. Theres always days like these, and be glad your not up there, because they can ruin your day. When its nice out though, you'll have a blast im sure

Cheers,
RB

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #11 - May 15^th, 2005 at 5:13pm

TacitBlue Offline
Colonel
That's right, I have my
own logo.
Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA

Gender:
Posts: 5391

Well, it was pretty nice out today! And I did have a blast. Thats was one of the greatest experiences of my life!! It was a little bumpy going up, but once above 4000 ft, it was smooth as glass. The instructer had me do several turns (which he said I was good at

) and a few climbs and descents. the wind had really picked up when we were coming back to the airport, and I couldnt really handle it on final aproach, so he took over. Over all, it was awsome. When the instructer asked if I had any questions, I said "where do I sign up?".

P.S. right now I look like this - Grin

A&P Mechanic, Rankin Aircraft 78Y

Aircraft are naturally beautiful because form follows function. -TB

Back to top

IP Logged

	Search the archive: