ORIGINAL: basimpsn
Did that about 7 time ( F-18C, XXl jet, Viper jet lost a complete elevator in flight manage to land it, and a F-15, all flown with heavy wind condition. At what point do you decide its too much wind 15-20 or 30 mph cross wind.?
Depends on lots of factors...aircraft capabilities/chracteristics, pilot's abilities/confidence, width of runway, steady or gusty winds etc..
If, however, you find yourself in a situation where you
have to land in a really strong crosswind (say, 20mph +), use it to your advantage and turn some of it into a headwind by making an angling approach across the runway. Assumes the runway is not particularly narrow but your ground speed will be reduced to the point that the landing roll is minimal. Also, after touchdown you can steer it back down the runway.
This is how I got my A-10 back on the runway a couple of years ago at FL Jets during a flight when crosswinds were recorded as high as 38
knots. Don't ask we what I was doing flying in those conditions in the first place.
Craig