Tamed by the Tailwheel

Maule Driver wrote:

I'm sure you have a typo or 2 here - just want to be clear... You are
saying that the Maule likes to handle xwinds with less or no flaps - right?

Yes. What I meant was that the limits of my ability with 40 degrees of flaps is
about 15 knots. These days, I use 24 degrees or less with anything over about 10
knots. I also tend to do that if I have passengers who are not regular aviators.

My xwind high point was Key West. 30G35 directly across. I cranked in
full forward slip controls turning final. Turns out to be beyond the
ability of the rudder to maintain a proper forward slip.

That's what I found. We were attempting landing at 47N (Manville, NJ). Trenton
ATIS reported 28 knots when we went by. John checked the sock when we made our
first attempt - "straight across and straight out."

But even with
the relatively clear boundaries of Key West airport, the wind gradient
reduced the xwind velocity just enough to allow me to get it straight
during the flare.

I didn't get that far. I guess I was still 100' up when I aborted the second
attempt.

(By backup plan was a return to my departure point
where I had an into the wind runway).

We ended up at Trenton.

George Patterson
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.