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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Approach speed 2x normal, on high rate ailerons, elevator
and rudder. When over the threshold, tilt wing into wind, apply opposite rudder
until in ground effect. Ground effect varies from terrain and
turbulance items (like shelters, cars, upwind trees) and is
an exponential function with respect to altitude, but is normally kicks
in the last 2 feet. Things get (relatively) contollable there.
The above approach technique keeps extra airspeed in case of a (reverse wind
gust). The slipping keeps the plane in line with the runway, while
bleeding off extra speed during the otherwise over-shot approach. BTW,
this technique also works in near calm when dead-sticking. It keeps
one out of the trees.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Winds were 18 gusting to 29 yesterday here in VA, I got a
few practice flights in before calling it a (mothers) day. I could write a
few paragraphs on flying in the intense (over 15 mph) winds if anyone
interested.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Also it (ground effect) works for torque rolls, if
thats ever of interest. Its much easier torque rolling under 2 feet than
it is over 20 for the same reason (ground effect).</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><B>-----Original Message-----</B><BR><B>From:
</B><A href="mailto:jed241@msn.com">jed241@msn.com</A> <<A
href="mailto:jed241@msn.com">jed241@msn.com</A>><BR><B>To: </B>NSRCA <<A
href="mailto:discussion@nsrca.org">discussion@nsrca.org</A>><BR><B>Date:
</B>Monday, May 12, 2003 10:11 PM<BR><B>Subject: </B>Practicing in Strong
Winds<BR><BR></DIV></FONT>
<DIV>Help a Rookie Thread…</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Today I decided to face my fears of flying in winds over 10mph. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The take off was uneventful and the initial turn was a bit bumpy. Once up
to speed I was able to perform interesting loops and stall turns and the like
for sportsman with a 20mph to 25mph wind (don't know what it was gusting at).
I have never seen a plane fly over the top of the loop at a 45 degree
angle to keep the loop a circle, then kind of flip over the top and
perform the next radius almost at a vertical down line again to keep the
loop a circle before the 270 degree point.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I was having such great success and building great confidence when I then
realized I need to land at some point of this flight and didn't try any slow
passes for landing. This is when the pucker factor kicked in…</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The 1st pass I made was too far out and too fast. Not intending to land
just gauge the speed and learn how the plane was going to react. The turn off
of the pass took the pucker factor up to the next level as a gust caught the
upper wing and rolled me inverted. In a panic, I just kept rolling until I was
upright. This proved to be the right decision as I think the other option to
recover would have put me in the ground.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Now came the second pass, too fast for airspeed and too slow for ground
speed. My wings were getting bounced from left to right and had a difficult
time keeping them level. Learning from the last pass I decided I didn't need
to bank that hard for turning back on the down wind. Bumpy, but much
smoother…</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Knowing that I don't have much fuel left at this point, maybe two more
passes tops, the pucker factor reached a new high. I'm way beyond the knees
knocking at this point…</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>On the 3rd pass I lined up ok and started reeling it in trying to manage
the throttle to save fuel and keep a steady airspeed above stalling. Had a
good line up, then the wind shifted and pushed me out over the long grass
in a cross wind gust. I had a choice to either bail the landing or
feed my plane to the Grass Gods (2 feet tall). I decided the tall grass
was a better idea in this situation than to try and force another landing
knowing the fuel situation.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I was able to softly feed the plane to the Grass Gods which in return
showed it's kindness by offering a soft cushion. I was down finally
and my son was laughing and awing about how cool that landing
was as I started to clean out my pants…There was no damage to the plane.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Now the question, "When the wind is strong is there any air barrier close
to the ground (like ground effect) that once you enter, it stops bouncing you
around? I didn't see it when I put the plane in the grass which was about 2
feet tall.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The one thing I did learn is that a bigger plane would probably handle
better than this Aresti 40..ha... Is there a conversion factor that says what
this wind reacts to a 40 size plane Vs a 2 meter plane? <g></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I did enjoy the experience, but don't recommend anyone flying in a bumpy
20mph wind with a 40 size plane.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Oh, I only had enough fuel to probably make it half way down the runway
on the down wind leg, a tad bit more than a half ounce.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Would like any thoughts on how the plane reacts as it gets closer to the
ground on windy days. I fly off of a grass runway. As there a difference for
paved runways?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Larry<BR></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>