Brian Patrick

I'm new to powered e-flight. I'm use to slope soaring with gliders, where wind speeds from 10 - 30mph are desirable. However, with my new Mini Pulse XT electric park flyer, I am wondering what conditions are best for someone like me who is new to powered flight? What would you consider to be ideal conditions in terms of wind speed? Pehaps 0 - 5 mph with gusts up to 8??? I'd appreciate your imput.

Thanks!

MetallicaJunkie

if you are a novice pilot id say no more than 10....it all depends on your abilities, and the risk you are willing to take. for example i have flown my Tango in gusts up to 40 mph, 30 steady. its an adrenaline rush, keeps my reflexes sharp, and its not a big investment.

proptop

My Feedback: (8)

With your slope soaring experience, and that particular size and weight (and power ) airplane, I would think you could safely say 10-15 m.p.h. winds. Maybe a little more if you felt comfortable with it.

It will get knocked around a bit by gusty winds, but as long as you remember to keep it close as the battery gets low, (don't get it too far down wind ) you should be fine.

We've had a couple guys in our clubs with that smaller Pulse...it handles well...
I have the 40XT and have flown the 25 and 60 size as well...they all fly quite nicely, if set up properly.

beepee

I have flown in gusts to 30mph and it wasn't fun. I wouldn't bother trying that again. Winds up to 20 aren't that bad if it does not come with turbulence or across the runway. Flying in winds like this is fun! Here in Dubai, though, the wind is not a problem. Long before the wind is too bad to fly, the dust makes things miserable!

Bedford

pettit

My Feedback: (23)

If my pants lags are flapping or my hat blows off my head, I don't fly!

fireman7875

My Feedback: (7)

I don't really like to fly in hail or volcanic eruptions.

In all seriousness, I have flown in 30 mph winds when others at the field were afraid to. It is less about skill than it is about confidence and a desire to learn. You have to remember that the airplane will continue to fly regardless of the wind speed. Ground speed is misleading. Flying in winds stronger than you are used to is a great learning experience and will give you confidence to go to the field while others are sitting at home.

Brian

proptop

My Feedback: (8)

It's not really the flying (in high winds ) that's difficult...it's the last few feet just before "touch down"...

I've flown in winds well over 30 m.p. h. and it can be a lot of fun doing touch and go landings without rolling the wheels...go up and down like an elevator...or landing while the airplane is going backwards relative to the ground [8D]...but I only take my somewhat "disposeable" airplanes out in that kind of wind.

When the wind is strong and gusty and constantly changing direction though, is when the relaxation and fun factor changes...to a negative...(I find something else to do )

rmenke

My Feedback: (13)

BP:

The wind stops being fun for me when I have to keep the motor going half throttle just to keep the airplane in place after the landing. I have destroyed a few while walking over to pick the model up and a gust picks it up and tumbles it back until enough parts are gone. Thats usually around 25-30 mph. ENJOY