Taking off in the face of an approaching Hurricane

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message ...
The ASOS at the time that this guy lifted off was
reporting winds at 31kts with gusts up to 47kts.

That's *it*?

Shoot, I've flown in 62 knot peak gusts in clear air in Wisconsin. (Not
that I recommend it, mind you...)

I guess I'd have expected a hurricane to be more, well, windy...

Jay, I guess that makes you the crazier of the two of us.
But was your 62kts during takeoff with at a 30degree angle to the rwy?
And this guy was also banking his plane onto crosswind at only about
150-200 agl with not much room left for clearing the large hangers,
not to mention that he was flying towards the downtown area where
he has to climb to above a 20 story building in less than a minute.
And to clarify, the hurricane is not here yet.
We are just getting some of the outer bands of wind.
The Hurricane is not expected to reach us till morning.

I was out taking pictures of the planes that have been left behind.
One guy has actually placed about 4x20lbs sand bags on the tail of his
plane.
I'm not really sure that is going to help any.
The partially damaged hanger doesn't look like it can resist anymore
highspeed
winds. And other hangers in the area that survived the first hurricane with
only
the loss of their doors, now have no hanger doors to protect them.
I will try to send you pictures of before and after if I have internet
service.
Pictures of a/c damage caused by Charley are on my site at:
http://www.floridascubadiver.com/hurricane_charley.htm

FSU football player: "When they said the hurricane is coming, I thought they
were talking about the University of Miami."

Dave (KORL)