Originally Posted by
DreamAir
Why kind of wind limitations to do you guys typically follow.
The club I fly out of have a limitation of 15kts cross wind, and 25kts direct wind if your a if your a commercial pilot. For private pilot the cross wind is 10kts, but the direct wind then goes down to 20kts.
I'll admit, I'm skittish in flying in winds 20+ kts, especially in a heavy cross wind, and even more so teaching someone else in winds like that.
The
most important limitation that you need to know is
not found in your aircraft operators manual (Limitations Section). It's
your own limitation. What are you comfortable flying in ? If the book says the aircraft is certified for a maximum demonstrated crosswind component of 15 knots and you don't feel comfortable flying in greater than a 8 to10 knot crosswind then guess what ? You're limitation is 10 knots.
Some aircraft can handle a crosswind better than others simply because of aerodynamics. The good ol' DC-3 had a max demonstrated crosswind component of 15 knots. When landing at greater than the limitation guess what happened when the rudder lost its' effectiviness below 60 knots.
Ground loop. The B-757 has a 34 knot crosswind component listed in the book but if the runway is dry and both engines are operating, it is
not limiting.The B-777 has a max demonstrated crosswind component of 38 knots simply because the FAA forced Boeing to put a limitation in the manual and that was the strongest wind Boeing engineers could find when the certification flights were flown.
Bottom line, find your "comfort zone" and stay there. As you get more experience, you can handle more difficult situations and one day become a crusty ol' SOB like I am and enjoy life.
It's a great ride. Enjoy it !!!
G'Day Mate