ETLB Squawk Forums — Archive

There are cross winds at my runway all the time. Although most of the time it stays below 10 mph.
Today I intended to take off when a wind burst almost made me lose control. The plane went right and left while trying to keep a straight path. Throttle was wide open at the time. I reduced power and slowed the plane aborting the take off.
I decided to playsafe and put the plane back in the hanger, the wind meter was showing wind gusts up to 15 mph at an angle of 90º to the runway. Is not very pleasant to operate from that runway at noon in a windy  day.
By the way, Does anyone know what is the factory limit on cross wind for a 1600R?

Gidday Ricardo....wow thats a scary photo.


sadly I cannot answer your question.

what I have learnt is that experience and currency is very important in these situations...to cross wind landings and takeoff

What I have have learnt is in these situations is to do a HIGH energy take off. ...and to crab the runway

What this means is too hold the aircraft on the ground....with forward stick...so you need to well exceed normal rotation speed...then quickly rotate...(get it off the ground)....no fear of a stall because your going fast....and to crab the runway......Knowing its a cross wind....while your stationary.....go to the corner of the runway and try to take off as much INTO wind as possible...ie diagonal to runway centreline....as you should be off in 3-4 seconds anyhow.

I know this sounds risky however when your doing lots of regular flying  this technique works for ME.....

and always stay with in your piloting skills set.

I have learnt through experience that you can push the limits if you are flying regularly and have GOOD skills in cross winds......and of coarse there are also limits to this type of flying......limited firstly to the skills of the pilot on type and secondly to the airframe you are flying.

Also good choice to back off and stay safe ...well done

regards Arthur

Sorry, have no idea what the maximum cross wind component is for you plane.

I do think that since you were quick enough to take a picture of yourself taking off in such a strong wind, if you stayed in the plane the whole time you could handle a hurricane.  

Glad you didn't disturb anything but your nerves. Good job.

Ricardo I don't know if the max has a factory limit but I do know my limit. 15 mph is my maximum limit due to the fact that the rudder has minimum effect at that speed and it would really push my skills. For me I fly for fun not because I have to so why push your skills and chance damage to you or your plane. I have had to land in a crosswind after it developed after flying but I didn't have a choice....it's not fun.

Monte

I have set a limit of 10 mph for 90° crosswinds  on this runway. Mainly because is 45' wide and there are trees on both sides.

You have a great looking air strip Ricardo. I think you are wise to set your limit conservatively and according to your conditions. Where I live in Maine we have a long and wide runway ( about 150' ) so you can almost point it into the wind and land across the runway; so not all situations are the same. But I still really like the air strip that you have.