On Fri, 4 Aug 2006 01:08:10 -0500, "Jim Macklin"
wrote:

Yes, they do think that. It is a fact that was just as much
wind as was blowing the day they did the proving test for
certification. The FAR 23 sets a minimum wind as a function
of stall speed, but with proper technique the actual limit
is much higher. Just to make the point, if the runway is
3,500 x 150 feet and the crosswind is 40 knots, you can land
at an angle on the runway, reducing the crosswind component.

The maximum demonstrated cross wind component for the Debonair I fly
is 12 knots. It is quite capable of handeling a direct (90 degree)
cross wind of 25 knots. That BTW is both its limit and my limit (when
I've been practicing and am proficient).

The 150s I've flown could handle at least that much, but it took far
more skill to handle them in strong cross winds than it does the Deb.
They are much ligher with far less inertia and react much more quickly
to the wind changes.

My first cross long cross country was in winds that at times reached
30 knots and I had at least a 15 knot, 90 degree cross wind at the
first landing. I took the approach (no pun intended) that I would give
it a try but I didn't have to land and would only do so if every thing
went well. It did.

Flying in high winds is not at all uncommon in the Mid West and
particularly the Great Planes states. If you really want winds use
the airports just off the "Front Range". OTOH They consider less than
75 miles poor visibility while the Great Lakes states consider 1500
and three great VFR.

Any one remember how the story goes about the pilot from the Great
Lakes and the one from out West feeling their way around a hangar in
fog and 10 knot winds or something like that?

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com