Originally Posted by winglet

Pet Peave Alert, Pet Peave Alert!

While not dismissing the occaisional use of a wind check, excessive and habitual "wind checks" are for automatons. Seaplane and "bush" pilots safely land thousands of times a day all over the world without the aid of a "wind check", a tower, atis, a windsock, a runway etc. A good pilot is constantly attuned to their environment and is aware of their crab angle as well as the crab angle of other aircraft, tree leaves, wave patterns, blowing dust, tire smoke, etc, etc...

Many "wind checks" are used as a crutch by inattentive "airplane operators" not aviators. Wind checks are only necessary if the pilot is uncertain of a dynamic wind vector that could be a factor in the safety of the landing. There are usually numerous cues that make a wind check request unecessary. An attentive pilot should have a very good idea of the wind conditions for the runway of intended landing long before short final.

Remember that the wind readout from the tower is from a location on the field that may or may not be near the approach end of the runway you are landing on. While not advocating the banishment of the "wind check" let's listen up, pay attention and use it more sparingly please.

Sorry.....can't.....stop.....typing!!!

All better now...

winglet