crow

I been flying most of times with 9 -10 knots, just because haven`t had a calm weather.
How much wind is normal to fly? what is the max?

glowplug

My Feedback: (1)

I usually don't fly in more than 15 or so mph. If it's coming in one direction, it's much easier to deal with......15mph variable can be trouble with .40-sized models!

RCaeroguy

My Feedback: (4)

I took my Dad out to the field on Sunday (Father's Day) because he has never been to our field to see any of us fly. The winds were gusting well past 15mph. That's my cut-off. I did put four flights on the Somethin' Extra but all of the landings were "high stress". It made for a good show but that was a bit over the top for me.

crow

sorry about a dumb question, how much is the 15 mph in knots or meters in second?? don`t use miles here

MajorTomski

My compliments on your English! This chart may help.

We stop teaching here in Oklahoma when it gets to around 16 Knots or 30KPH. That's when whitecaps appear on the lake next to our flying field. But if you quit flying in winds like that in Oklahoma you may never get to fly. The AMA will not cancel a contest until the winds get to 40 Mph, 64 KPH. and I've flown in winds almost that high. It does make for an interesting landing.!

HTH
Tom
knots mph kph
1.00 1.15 1.84
2.00 2.30 3.69
3.00 3.45 5.53
4.00 4.60 7.37
5.00 5.75 9.21
6.00 6.90 11.06
7.00 8.05 12.90
8.00 9.20 14.74
9.00 10.35 16.58
10.00 11.50 18.43

mph knots kph
1.00 0.87 1.60
2.00 1.74 3.20
3.00 2.61 4.81
4.00 3.48 6.41
5.00 4.35 8.01
6.00 5.22 9.61
7.00 6.09 11.22
8.00 6.96 12.82
9.00 7.83 14.42
10.00 8.70 16.02

briankenney91

My Feedback: (1)

If you are at full throttle and your plane is moving backwards, then its too windy to fly.

crow

thanks major, helps me out

FLYBOY

My Feedback: (11)

Depends on what you are flying. I have flown on the slope when it took 3 of us to launch. Fly some of the other planes in wind you wouldn't believe. Wouldn't fly my little bipe in a breeze. Different planes handle the wind differently. Some like it. Others don't.

gubbs3

My Feedback: (1)

Whatever you are comfortable with and your plane can handle. Give it a few flights when it is a little windier than normal and see how it handles.

jettstarblue

Whatever you are comfortable flying in! Once the plane is in the air, the only thing the wing "sees" is airspeed. It's great fun to take out a light trainer, and fly up and down the runway without changing directions.


Jetts

Dazzler_BE

I've flown my trainer in a wind so hard that it required FULL throttle to get it forward against the wind. one or 2 clicks slower and I could keep her "hanging" above the same spot.

mtthomps

My Feedback: (2)

It depends on what you had for breakfast........

DBCherry

My Feedback: (4)

All of the above. I have a GWS Cub that's not meant to be flown in wind over about 4 knots (5mph), but have had a blast in a steady 8 Knots. Vertical take-offs and landings, could only go forward if the wind died a bit.

It was a disaster once it was on the ground though! Plane tumbled for about 10 meters before I could catch it. :stupid:

As someone else said, if you can move forward in the wind you can fly in it. BUT! It depends on your skill, your confidence level, and how much you care about the plane!
Dennis-

Crash_N_Burn

Just got back from flying in Wisconsin and here's what they say about flying in the wind:

"If your plane blows over on the ground and turns upside down, it may be too windy".

"If you're flying a flat-bottom airfoil without aileron/rudder coupling, 20-23MPH is probably about it".

"Wind isn't a problem, it only exaggerates the control errors".

"What's the best way to deal with wind? Fly the plane."

I swear wind isn't a problem for those hardy soles. I saw them fly in 25-30MPH winds with no problem. (not trainers!)

I guess we learn to adapt to our surroundings, yes?

MAJSteve

My Feedback: (-1)

20 knot steady wind - biplane makes pivot turns and stops dead in the air till I give it throttle. Downwind I barely crack the throttle.

BUT takeoffs are a little too hairy - give a little up and it goes into stall attitude, nose it down and the wind pushes it down. REAL pucker factor.

I just feel that if you're getting the planes blown off the tables and around the pits its just time to sit and chat and wait for it to calm down.

Banksy

The weather forecast said 10-15 mph....

The liars...

Tree turbulence and a crosswind make for a rubbish landing, especially if you have to hold down elevator and some throttle just to make the strip....

(Obviously it wasnt *my* fault... )

http://www.preciousthings.nildram.co.uk/Windy.AVI

Windier than it looks on the vid....

mtthomps

My Feedback: (2)

If you barely crack the throttle on downwind, you will descend. The plane flys the same wheather upwind or downwind. It is still at the same airspeed the whole time.

jettstarblue

MT,

YES!!!!!!!
Thanks, you got that before I could. Usually I'm on this one like a hobo on a ham sandwich!
I know it sounds strange to newer fliers, but remember- the elevator is the SPEED CONTROL, THE THROTTLE IS THE ALTITUDE CONTROL. You can't climb with the engine off, and if you are wide open, and point her down, well hopefully you built a good ship.

The plane only "sees" relative airspeed. The chopping the throttle going down wind death spiral is common. Usually contributed to "a radio glitch", or other "I don't know what happened".

Except for extreme gusts, the plane can't tell what kind, or how much wind it is in.

Bottom line is, if you'er not comfortable, the wind is to high.
PRACTICE WITH SOMETHING CHEAP, AND RESPECT YOUR LIMITS!

Jetts

jettstarblue

Banksy,

Yes, but if the crosswind is high enough, you can land into the wind across the runway!

DBCherry

My Feedback: (4)

Absolutely true!
If your plane has a 9 mph stall speed and you're flying INTO a 10 mph headwind you can hold the plane pefectly still in the air. However, if you're flying downwind in that same 10 mph wind, you BETTER be traveling at a minimum of 19 mph or you're going to fall out of the sky! (19 mph downwind will require the same throttle as 10 mph into the wind.)

By the way, this causes an awful lot of crashes. Picture a landing approach; people are use to seeing their plane traveling at say, 20 mph on the downwind leg on a calmer day, on a windier day that same 20 mph may be stall speed. (Especially when you make your turn onto the base leg.)
Dennis-

mtthomps

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks jettstarblue; read the following thread. I discussed this to DEATH with smart, not so smart, and downright ignorant folks here nearer to the end of the thread. I hope this does not turn into the same discussion.

DBCherry

My Feedback: (4)

Amazing how many posts there were while I was typing. I just type slowly.

mtthomps,
Your link??
Dennis-

mtthomps

My Feedback: (2)

Sorry, I forgot to ctrl-v

http://www.rcuniverse.com/showthread...flying+in+wind]

jettstarblue

MT,
I just went to that thread, and as usual, this makes me want to pull my hair out, at least until the light goes on over their head!

A real easy way to get people to understand, is, take them up in a full sized plane, and explain it as you go.

If they stay ignorant you can always put the plane in a spin, and let the "expert" pull it out!

Just kidding, geez you guys lighten up!!

Jetts

mtthomps

My Feedback: (2)

The "I need to go back to school..." comment is the one that really got to me.