50KT wind

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02-25-2011 | 03:07 AM

ce650

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From: EVIL PRIVATE JET

50KT wind

Just curious as to the limit of surface winds you as pilots would land in. Would you land with winds at 25G50KT? What if its blowing within 10 degrees of runway direction?

I personally have only landed in gusts to 40 KT and when I shut the engines down I thought "that was dumb"

02-25-2011 | 03:22 AM

elmetal

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ce650

25G50 definitely not... the gust is way too high for my taste. Now if you were talking something like 40G45, that's a lot more reasonable in my book.

I guess I don't mind wind, it's gusts that are on my no no list

02-25-2011 | 03:23 AM

USMCFLYR

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From: FAA 'Flight Check'

I have landed in some heafty winds right down the runway before. For a while we didn't even have limitations on wind speed other than a x-wind limitation (this was in the military). This all changed after a particular mishap where the crew made it out of the aircraft, but one was killed after being dragged in the chute during some extremely gusting conditions. Now there is a surface wind limitation - not aircraft related - but survivability related for emergency egress. As long as the winds are within set limitations for the aircraft there shouldn't be a problem.

USMCFLYR

02-25-2011 | 03:28 AM

ce650

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From: EVIL PRIVATE JET

What if I told you theres a 2500'ish ridge 5 miles west of the airport and the wind is westerly? At 30kts blowing down the ridge you are assured of MOD turb. with the chance of severe (reported last time I was there) so with G50KT who knows?

If you cant guess I'm trying to talk myself out of doing this leg today!

02-25-2011 | 03:57 AM

USMCFLYR

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From: FAA 'Flight Check'

Quote:

Originally Posted by ce650

What if I told you theres a 2500'ish ridge 5 miles west of the airport and the wind is westerly? At 30kts blowing down the ridge you are assured of MOD turb. with the chance of severe (reported last time I was there) so with G50KT who knows?

If you cant guess I'm trying to talk myself out of doing this leg today!

Well now my OpSpecs forbid me to fly of areas of forecasted SEVERE anything - so I have an out. I'm taking it that you're P91 and the boss says "Go".

Is the Mod-Sev turbulence only forecasted in the vicinity of this ridge or does it extend the 5 miles to the airport (which I am assuming it does). Any chance of circumnavigting the area of concern.

Is your passenger (boss or department) the type that you can discuss/call and explain the dangers (discomfort to pax or maintenance / safety issues) of severe turbulence?

I guess in the end you are the PIC (assuming you are) and have the choice whether to fly or not. Tough spot. Let us know what you figure out.

USMCFLYR

02-25-2011 | 04:07 AM

ce650

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From: EVIL PRIVATE JET

Yes pt91, its our call but I hate to leave two people out there to try to airline home. The ridge is 5 miles west of airport running north/south. runway is 27 with forcast winds at arrival of 28025G50KT

02-25-2011 | 04:35 AM

USMCFLYR

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From: FAA 'Flight Check'

Quote:

Originally Posted by ce650

Yes pt91, its our call but I hate to leave two people out there to try to airline home. The ridge is 5 miles west of airport running north/south. runway is 27 with forcast winds at arrival of 28025G50KT

This is where it is nice to have certain rules put into place when the 'must complete mission' light comes on and starts blinking. Sometimes we are our own worse enemies. It is a tough call and we would all like to think that we work for entities that appreciate, and respect, the decisions that we as pilots make in the interests of our passengers (and our own self-preservation)

USMCFLYR

02-25-2011 | 05:04 AM

elmetal

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oo.. the ridge makes it a definite no go for me. I guess it depends on the size of the aircraft but a 25kt gust factor AND turbulence? I'd probably pass...

02-25-2011 | 06:45 AM

rickair7777

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From: Engines Turn or People Swim

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCFLYR

This all changed after a particular mishap where the crew made it out of the aircraft, but one was killed after being dragged in the chute during some extremely gusting conditions. Now there is a surface wind limitation - not aircraft related - but survivability related for emergency egress. As long as the winds are within set limitations for the aircraft there shouldn't be a problem.

USMCFLYR

Ouch. Normal wind limit for intentional round parachute ops is 13 KTS...significantly higher than that would be bad news for sure.

02-25-2011 | 06:55 AM

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N9373M

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From: 127.0.0.1

Quote:

Originally Posted by ce650

Personal rule of thumb (that I don't always follow). If there is any lingering doubt - don't go. Trying to avoid the "let's go up and see how it is, we can always get back to base" trap.