For training I usually don't like to fly beginning students over 15 mph, but after they get some experience I'll fly them up to 20 mph if I feel they are capable of handling it and want to. I never force a student to make any flights, and some I have will only fly a couple of flights a day before their nerves won't take it. I've even got one who can handle the 20 mph winds but has no confidence and will probably be a perpetual buddy box student all his flying career.

Just after I started flying 4-channel (mostly flew 2 and 3 channel back then) I would take my Sweet Stik out in 25 mph winds not knowing I shouldn't fly in them until some of the more experience pilots told me it was too windy. Looking back I wish they wouldn't have said anything since l now will fly my planes in winds over 25 mph. At that speed it starts to become more work and less fun, so generally when it gets between 20 and 25 mph I don't spend too much time in the air. My Alpha 60 seems to handle 25 mph as well as, if not better than, the Tower Kaos 40 or Twist 60 do.

It all comes down to what your instructor is comfortable instructing in, and what you are comfortable with, capable of handling and have flown in. And it doesn't come instantly for most learning to fly in the wind - it takes some time to get your confidence up. If you think its too windy, go up on the buddy box to get your confidence up, then solo if you feel you are capable of handling it, otherwise don't fly, enjoy the day and look forward to the next good day for flying.

Hogflyer