Yesterday a front moved in with winds gusting well over 45 kts. Windy as all get out, trees whipping around etc. Buddy of mine that is a lot more experienced than I am who had a flight planned to Boston yesterday wisely cancelled and drove his family instead. Very good call.
Today, when I'm scheduled to be flying, winds are forecast at 23-35 kts at 240 with rain, making for a 17.5 crosswind factor at a minimum.
Winds are currently going 12-22 kts at 220 and if it stayed at 220 and then increases to the forecast 35kts it would make for a 26.8 crosswind factor. That's a lot, and while I've done that before with an instructor, it's really not a lot of fun at all.
The book gives the Piper Archer a maximum demonstrated crosswind factor of 17.
Would I personally fly in these current and forecast conditions? NO. They are beyond my personal limits.
Does that make me a tad too cautious and conservative? Perhaps.
Do I care?: Also, NO.
After all, whose tail is going to be in the plane? Mine.
In short, unless we get a dramatic change in the opposite of forecast directions, this is going to be a Simulator lesson.
3 comments:
There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots. Good call.
You're getting what we had yesterday. No way I'd go up either. Beyond the crosswind, the wind shear would be horrible.
Nuke Road Warrior yep, it was the right call to make, as the weather continued to deteriorate.
Midwest Chick: Yesterday was very sporty here and today is not quite as bad, but still not acceptable for flying.
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