ORIGINAL: Zor
I just have to agree with Gray Beard.
A bit more weight means the ability to tackle the wind and gusts much better and makes it easier to fly in such conditions which are not rare.
I was planning a posting along this line and thanks to Gray Beard to have read my mind
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Light weight or lighter weight promoters can stay on the ground with no more than 12 oz/sq ft and watch pilots enjoying defying wind gusts with their models in the 20 (2x) oz / sq ft.
Zor
Looks like this is going to be a highly debated thread.
Yes and no. A heavier airplane may appear to handle the wind better but a well trimmed airplane will do a better job. Look at the current crop of pattern airplanes. Lots of side area and 850-950 squares of wing they are among the lightest. AMA rules state a weight limit of 11 lbs. They do however handle the wind very well. This is because of proper setup.
The airplane really does not see wind, all it really sees is airspeed. Yes there are cross winds but most flying sites are set up so you are mostly flying upwind or downwind. So if your airplane is trimmed to fly at a specific airspeed and a gust hits, the airplane reacts to that increase or decrease in airspeed. If the airplane is trimmed correctly, CG, engine thrust, incenence, so that it flies strait regardless of throttle setting then it's going to be disturbed by wind much less. In fact when it is windy we just fly a little faster as to decrease the % in wind induced speed changes.