wind

[TacitBlue]

I was wondering - How windy is too windy? In terms of flying small planes, specifically Cessna 172. The reason Im asking is because in the spring and fall we have sustained winds upwards of 35mph here. lately it has been around 10 - 15mph. I will be taking my first flight hopefully this weekend and I would like to know if I should wait untill it is less windy, or is it OK?

[C]

All depends on the aeroplane, who's flying it etc...

Flying the C152 when I first learned to fly, some of the clubs instructors were happy with 25kt crosswinds, others weren't.

Flying the Grob Tutor the max wind limit (off the top of my head was 40kts, with a max crosswind of 25kts).

Flying in any aircraft with a parachute of ejector seat, any wind over 30-35kts is going to be painful if you have to get out, whatever the aeroplane can handle...

Having said that, on your first flight you aren't likely to be in control for take off or landing, or much in the circuit, so you might be ok. Ask the instructor - if he's happy to take you on your first trip, then it'll be fine...

[Brett_Henderson]

The published maximum crosswind component for a 172 is 15knots (that's if it's a direct 90 degree crosswind).. Obviously higher if it's somewhere between a headwind/crosswind. To even a low-time pilot though, you'll find that a bit on the cautious side. 20 knot crosswinds are quite manageable.

The bigger concern is the gust differential. If the difference between the base-wind and the gust-wind is more than 1/2 the base-wind  AND it's near 15 knots  AND  it's at 90 degrees... it can test the best pilot.. especially in ground effect.

For your first time in a small plane.. I'd be more concerned about the gusty stuff. Besides.. no instructor will put himself.. let alone you, in danger. If he says it's a go.. I'd go !

[beaky]

My "thumbnail" limit for the C172 is about a 20-kt wind up to about 70 degrees from center. Very interesting, but workable (I recall taking off/landing with nearly that intensity at least once).
 The published limits represent a maximum demonstrated crosswind, so it's possible a really good pilot could deal with worse. But I wouldn't advise it, and I'm sure your instructor will tell you what your max. is for the moment.
But the  best way, of course, to answer your question would be to use a flight computer to calculate the xwind comp. before you fly, and compare that to the aircraft manual's limits, right?
 Don't rule out a whole season based on long-term forecasts- check the wind the day you're going to fly, and decide then. And don't be afraid of a little wind- it's good for honing your flying skills.
 

[Hagar]

Not sure how they do it now but in my day the flying club/school made the rules. Your instructor will decide whether you fly or not depending on the weather, your experience & what you're going to do during the lesson. It's always advisable to give them a ring before leaving for the airfield.

[cobzz]

i dont kno
but 737s its around 35knots 90 degree wind

[TacitBlue]

Thanks guys, I guess Ill play it by ear then.

[beaky]

For now, definitely defer to your CFI, but there's no reason why you can't start figuring this stuff out by yourself, for practice if nothing else. Eventually it'll be your call, and if you don't know how to do it, you may get yourself in a bit of a "situation".
Reminds me that once, before I'd even soloed, it was a rather blustery day at TEB, and my CFI asked me if I thought we should do our lesson anyway. It was a spot test- no time to calculate it- but I based my "no-go" on the fact that the wind (crosswind to both runways) was pushing the door closed against my back as I started the interior preflight check. I was leaning back on it, the wind was gusting so hard.  And with a front approaching, it'd have gotten even worse before the lesson was over. I didn't even need to hear the ATIS to know that was out-of-limits.
He agreed with me.

[TacitBlue]

Well, its official. I am going for my first flight this saturday at 18:00! weather permitting of course, they told me to call first just to make sure. I cant wait!

[TacitBlue]

Damned wind... I called the airport when I was ready to go, and they said it was way to windy, gusting up to 40mph  >:(. So, I have an appointment to go tomarrow morning... we'll see.

[Rocket_Bird]

Ya sometimes the gusty winds can really bump up those 172s.

[TacitBlue]

Well, it was pretty nice out today! And I did have a blast. Thats was one of the greatest experiences of my life!! It was a little bumpy going up, but once above 4000 ft, it was smooth as glass. The instructer had me do several turns (which he said I was good at  :)) and a few climbs and descents. the wind had really picked up when we were coming back to the airport, and I couldnt really handle it on final aproach, so he took over. Over all, it was awsome. When the instructer asked if I had any questions, I said "where do I sign up?".

P.S. right now I look like this -  ;D