Landing in high winds

"Frode Berg" wrote in message
...
The wind was 17 kts with 27 kts gust 30 degrees down the runway.

What do you other guys do in such a situation? Just put son some more
speed
and fly "normal", or do you still keep the numbers? (not such a good idea
considering the gusts...)

I add a gust factor, reduce the flaps, and aim for the centerline. Flying a
taildragger, I get 'pumped' or 'psyched' for the approach. In other words,
I try to be extra alert, quick on the controls, and extra vigilant.

I normally try to fly in a slip starting on short final. Perhaps not the
optimal technique but it allows me to get comfortable with the slip picture
and to 'warm up' the cross controls required.

About 50 feet over ground, the riot calmed down, and landing was a non
event. However, the crosswind component was still evident, so I landed in
a
slip to compensate.

By flying short final in a slip, it allowed me to discover what you seemed
to have discovered too. While 30 knots at 90 degrees exceeds my ability to
keep it straight with the rudder, once I descended to within 10 feet or so
of the runway, the wind often decreases enough for my rudder authority to
catch up and allow me to get it straight. The 2 times that happened, I was
a second away from an abort and a trip to another airport.

While I work hard to keep it on the centerline while landing, I will use the
width of wider runways to reduce the xwind component on takeoff.