ORIGINAL: Popriv
ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
Funny this came up today. Yesterday I was flying my Aeroworks electric Extra and as soon as I took off I knew the wind was going to come up any second. At about 50 feet the plane was getting kicked around. You are correct, on the down wind leg you have to at least be flying faster then the wind speed or your controls get mushy. The only way I was able to land was to get over the runway and kill power and hold the plane into the wind. Every flight I had to do a Hairier landing, just float down. I knew someone was going to say they were flying in a 20 MPH wind so we pulled out the wind Gage just to prove them wrong, my 17 ounce plane just doesn't fly very well at all in real high wind. The Gage was only showing a 13 MPH wind and it would drop down to about 8 MPH then jump back to 13 MPH. I don't think I could ever get it to land in a 20 MPH wind, 13 was a lot of fun though and mine isn't under powered.
I'm surprised you maidened your new plane in a strong wind! The YAKs and Extras can handle it, landing is always the big thrill though. Glad it went well for you. I don't know if my wing will take much more then 15 MPH or not but stunting with the motor off was a lot of fun!
well, Actually I had two flights yesterday,in no wind. Flew,great with a couple down elevator clicks.
Today I got out of the car and watched for awhile as the flag was standing pretty much straight out. I should get a meter to check the wind. I'm sure it's usually over estimated. The wind was great. Slight forward progress into the wind, then roll inverted and swoop,down with the wind... Then curl around into the wind and hang there... Pretty cool.. Steady wind so I wasn't getting buffeted around much. I have to switch the rimfire 400 for a .10 thunder tiger. Gonna need the power... Good time.. I did have a problem with the yak elevator tips catching on the ground when landing. I have to be careful not to flair at the end. So they don't catch..
Steve
Lot oflittle tricks with these little light weights in the wind. I didn't see you mention if you had the side force generators on your YAK or not. I removed the ones I had on my Extra. Reaqlly didn't need them for knife edge, the Extra will do a knife edge loop without them. First time I did a cross wind landing they were more trouble then they are worth. Floating in doing a hairier was my best way of landing. Once I touched down and tried to get the plane back to the pits, I had full up elevator and as soon as I got any forward movement the plane lifted off again and I wasn't expecting it. Looked cool but could have gotten real ugly. I haven't ever flown the small electric YAK but I would think it is about the same as my Extra and just too much fun rolled up in a small plane.
I do have a wind plane I built a few years ago just for those days when the wind comes up without warning but yesterday was just an all electric day. I didn't even have an extra prop with me. Just change the battery and fly!!
