ORIGINAL: chrisp32
so i have been flying some 40 size arfs on and off for about 2 years, however it tends to be very windy here on a regular basis and find that it is usually somewhat difficult to control a plane in 15-20 km/hr winds thus making it not quite as fun to constantly battle the wind. my thoughts are going from a small 4-5 pound plane like an escapade or pulse 40 to like a 10-11 lb 120 size decathlon should i expect it to be more stable and a little easier flying like i am currently thinking? and thus open up my chances to go out and fly and enjoying it more. is this thinking correct or is bigger and heavier going to work against me? any thoughts? Advise?
Chris
If I am reading you correctly, you are saying 15-20 kilometers/hr? That is 9 -12 mph. That is not a lot of wind, more like the daily minimum requirement.
Flying in wind can be a lot of fun; the landing part can get interesting, but it, too is an acquired skill. Sure, a light plane is more responsive to wind. The real issue with wind is gusting and wind shear. A steady wind can be a joy to play in. My all time favorite wind plane is/was the Twist 40. Alas, I sold it. As to plane type for wind, a mid or low wing gives a bit better control, especially in ground handling.
Have fun in the wind.