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I can assure you that, on a full-size airplane, such as Boeing 720, 727,
757/67, that ground effect is severely diminished in a strong crosswind.
<br>I imagine that the same must apply to some degree with a model.
But, it just might be too small to notice. That is, other, more robust
factors, might be more noticeable.
<br>
<p>Bill Glaze
<p>jed241@msn.com wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE><style></style>
<?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace
prefix="o" />Help a Rookie Thread… Today I decided to face my fears
of flying in winds over 10mph. 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. 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… 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. 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… 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… 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. 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. 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. 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> I did enjoy the
experience, but don't recommend anyone flying in a bumpy 20mph wind with
a 40 size plane. 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. 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? Larry</blockquote>
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