when we have to bully the airplane
 

I have read and heard of several instances when you have no choice but to bully the controls. But it is not often that I have to forcibly fight with the forces of nature, but when the occasion does arise, it concerns me a little. For an example, yesterday coming into land I had a some gusty winds on final, also a cross wind. The flying into ground effect, leveling for a second, and then smoothly bringing the nose up did not work for me. Instead I had to keep that power all the way, use the rudder to keep it straight, and at the same time make sure I land on the upwind wheel first. I also had to bring the nose up abruptly since she would not respond to my usual speed of bringing the yoke back. The issues that I am concerned has a lot to do with technique and how much we have to deviate as a result of gusty conditions, excessive cross winds etc. We all have our personal minimums and it is one thing to not venture out if the winds are not within our personal limits, but when the time does arise and when the unexpected does catch you by surprise...

So whats your question?

I know it is simply impossible to have an answer for each and every scenario ...so in a way what I am asking has a lot to do with airplane design, piloting skill, and how to stay out of trouble when a "surprise" is introduced by mother nature. It's not so much a question as is a need of opinions as to how to deal with the unexpected. Maybe it's because I am a low-time pilot who tends to think about a rather eventful flight more, whereas for the experienced, its just another day.

You mentioned it before, it's Personal Limits, which usually are less than the capability of the airframe(good thing). The perfect time to expand your limit is with an instructor, or solo when it's just a slight bit higher than your limit, but not an obvious no-go situation(like limit of 10kts x-wind, you hit a 15, but not a 20)

I'm not 100% clear on what you wanted either but will say:

1. Always leave yourself an out(extra gas, turn around, etc). If the hair on the back of your neck is standing up, do something about it.

2. If it doesn't kill you, it'll make you a better pilot. Learn from the mistakes you'll make along the way.

Bottom line, you do whatever you need to do to make the plane do or go where you want. Simple! ;)

It's all about getting out there and practicing when it's a little breezy. You'll hardly ever have a perfect day with no wind down the runway (at least here in the SLC). You've just got to slowly build your confidence and you're probably going to sweat a little. There's nothing wrong with going up when conditions are a little crazier than you'd like to fly in. (No I don't mean that along the lines of flying VFR in IMC) If it is too crazy though you should take an instructor. Just keep in mind there's a difference between pushing/expanding your limits and being just plain stupid. Be careful out there!

Best advice I can give is FLY THE AIRPLANE. Don't let it fly you. It sounds cliche but I would always tell my students this when they let something abnormal get them off track. There will be times when you're not expecting something: unusual gust, more power required than normal, bad turbulence. You either react and adjust or you let the situation control you.

Point is you do what it takes to control the airplane appropriately. It's easy to get complacent with "what it takes" to complete the flight. Not every landing will be the same amount of flare with the same control pressures. A good pilot learns from experiences and reacts with confidence. Of course this confidence comes with experience. So like previously mentioned, continue to challenge yourself with an instructor on board.

I am sorry, but I read this, "bully the controls" and it just makes me giggle inside. Likely you are discussing trainers which makes it even more comical. Let me tell you a little story. About 6 months ago I had a student come in on a crosswind day it was around the mid teens gusting in the 20s in a 172P. He was convinced he couldn't get it down without fighting it in, he was a private pilot just trying to build crosswind time.

So I said ok watch this, taking the aircraft and trimming it for Vy climb on departure. I then proceeded to fly the pattern until flare without ever touching the controls for the purposes of pitch. All I did was keep wings level by holding the stick still and used power and flap inputs to command the descent. Oh, and we used 30 degrees flaps with a crabbed approach, smooth round out and some rudder for a nice touchdown. Approach speed about 65 knots.

The moral of the story is airplanes are stable. That means when wind disrupts them they will return to their original state, this holes true for any GA non aerobatic aircraft I have flown. It is even more true for trainers. Bullying the aircraft does two things: gives you pilot induced turbulence and makes your instructor chuckle or your passengers puke. Don't flight it, let her fly and guide her in like a big lady down a narrow isle. ;)

like other have said FLY THE AIRPLANE. i flew a pa-28 into gusty 30 knot direct crosswinds. didn't have to 'bully the controls' at all. the only bullying i had to do is persist at landing while a advisory tower was telling me not to. i did have to go around on the first attempt before even getting close to crossing the threshold. i will try to post pics in the photo thread area soon or later.

Sometimes you do have to muscle it little or even alot like ATLMSL said its flying the airplane not riding along. Don't be afraid to work it a bit do what you have to.