A C-182 is not a C-172, it feels heavier and is heavier, so it is more
stable and a little more resistant to x-Wind.
"Gust" means nothing other than wind changes direction up to 30deg. of given
Wind in ATIS, METAR or TAF.
If the wind is not very much off the Rwy. heading, you just have to wait for
the right moment. The C-182 has enough Power "once airborne" to handle these
winds. But it also depends on the pilot and his skills.
I am not saying any pilot should go out and take the risk, but if a pilot
has expirience with x-wind and knows what he is doing and knows his
aircraft, why not!
Everyone else should stick with his personal minimums, as learned once
during his training.

A C-172 would be in my eyes a no go!!!
A C-182 I would eventually do it! (Saw the pictures after Charly)
A Piper Seminol--Sure!
Don't forget this is my personal opinion!

a CFII, MEI

"CFLav8r" wrote in message
om...
I can't believe what I just saw!
I was outside looking east at the old ATA hanger that was
battered by Hurricane Charley, when suddenly I heard the
sound of an airplane accelerating.
Then a few seconds later I saw a Cessna (182 or larger)
attempting to climbout.
This plane was rocking, yawing pitching and everything else in
between just to stay aloft.
I was really worried that I was just about to witness a disaster
in the making.
Why this guy waited till 11:25am to leave this area is beyond me.
The ASOS at the field is on because the tower has been
evacuated ever since the winds climbed over 20kts.
The ASOS at the time that this guy lifted off was
reporting winds at 31kts with gusts up to 47kts.

I will probably never know who that was, but if your
the guy and your reading this..... Your Nuts!

Dave (KORL)