I just want to add one thing. As you progress, so to will your ability to fly in the wind as long as you keep trying. I have seen the wind speed where I won't fly increase over the last couple of years. So it does come with time and practice, practice and practice. I just need to add the rudder/aeleron cross control to my skills.

I’ve seen calm days turn bad in an instant and I've seen people at the field go into an absolute panic when it does. They’d turn around and yell for someone to come help land their plane. If someone couldn’t get to them fast enough or if no one else was available to help, their planes bit the dust. Fair weather flying is great if you can always guarantee fair weather. But it pays to know how to handle a plane in adverse conditions when the need arises. And knowing how comes from practicing, not folding up and going home when the farmer across the field sneezes.

Regarding a hundred dollars. I don’t know anyone who thinks that a hundred bucks is a lot of money. For those who a hundred bucks is the make it or break it figure, I would suggest that they re-evaluate their situation and make changes in their lives.

The guy has only 2 flights on his plane. Only a bonehead would suggest he fly in 25mph gusts.

Wings,
Line up as you would in windless conditions, apply rudder to keep the plane flying in a staight path, and use ailerons to keep the wings level.

Practice using the rudder to keep the plane in a straight line over the runway a few times first. It comes fairly naturally to me now, but it took a lot of practice. It doesn't take nearly as much rudder as you might think, even in a 90 degree crosswind.
Dennis-

I don't mind wind at all! I would fly in 25 mph...well I have but you made the right choice since you don;t have much time at the sticks with that plane! I would suggest when you don't feel comfortable don;t take off! don't feel like you have to fly, because thats when it won't be fun...just eventually make your self somfortable on the plane, and in higer winds and you'll have a great time...the plane flies amazing, what electrics do you have?

One guy at my field said....

"There are old pilots... and then there are bold pilots... but there are NO old, bold pilots!"

Nuf said.

I had never flown an RC plane before when I first went up in high winds. When you learn to fly in calm weather then that is usually the only weather you feel comfortable flying in. Some people try to justify their own fear of flying in less than perfect conditions by trying to get as many others to fear it as well. A kind of might makes right thing.

When I walk through the pit area I can feel the fear. All those beautiful and expensive planes that took months of hard work to build and there they sit in all their glory. Let a blade of grass stir just a bit and to hear the plane’s owners you’d think a tornado was bearing down on them. Oh no, the weather is just too out of control and we aren’t taking any chances with these fine planes. So they just sit around backslapping, ego stroking and reaffirming their position in the pack. They didn’t do anything but they leave happy knowing they’ve impressed the daylights out of the others. Meanwhile I got the air to myself.

Sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder.

Maybe, just maybe, most of those you mention value their money more than you. Or maybe they are not as fortunate to have the abundance of extra money to spend on their planes as you. You must live in a much richer society than me, because all the people I know consider a $100 to be a good hunk of change. A trainer is more like $150 and those nice planes you mention are much more. So step down off your high horse and look at it from that perspective. Maybe they really do enjoy the hobby and do not want to risk crashing and having be grounded for months (maybe years) saving for a new plane.


Anyway, that is not even the point. The guy asked how much was too much to fly when he only has two flights on his trainer. It is commons sense for him not to fly in 15 to 25 mph winds at this point!

I totally disagree with you about if you don't fly in the wind when you are learning you are less likely to fly in the winds at all. This is insane. It is so rediculous I don't even no why I am responding other than so the poster will not take your bad advice.

When I first started I wouldn't fly in hardly any wind. Now I will fly in just about any wind within reason. Now of course I am not going to go out when a front is coming through with 30 to 50 mph winds. But I am not afraid at all of the wind. I am not the greatest and landing exctly where I want when its really windy, but I am not afraid.

If I had a really really nice plane I would not be flying it in those conditions. Not that I would necessarily be afraid I just wouldn't want to risk all that money.

So I guess the moral of my post is, if you have tons of money to blow as Dusty here does, go for it, trash your plane and buy a new one.

If you value your money and have other things like bills that eat up a good portion of your money, then don't take the chance. Learn to fly confidently on calm days and then start flying in higher winds. It is the common sense and cheaper thing to do.


Good luck!

Wings

Yes, I must because like I said I don't know anyone that would consider a hundred dollars a lot of money. I’ve been fortunate in life but it didn’t come by way of luck. I took the necessary steps to achieve the life I wanted and I make no apologies for that.

I thought that a big part of this hobby was flying. Those afraid of accepting the risk of crashing should probably consider RC cars or trucks.

I know people that will not go into the ocean because they think that as soon as they do they will be eaten by sharks. They extrapolate the dangers to justify their irrational fears. The same can be said of many RC pilots when it comes to wind. A 5 mph wind can easily become 25 to justify their sitting in the pit with their plane in their lap.

This not exactly what I said. I said that people who learn to fly in calm weather usually feel more comfortable flying in calm weather.

I do not blow money I spend it wisely. For me, spending money on a plane that I'm afraid to fly for fear of damaging it would not be wise. And I don't trash my planes just because I have the money to replace it. People who have money did not get it by being foolish with it. What’s that saying, “A fool and his money are soon departed�. I don’t know any fools with money.

I agree. You should instead put your RC hobby on hiatus until you get your bills paid off or under control. This way you can enjoy the hobby without fear of a crash putting you on the sidelines for several years.

Oh, and I will never step down from my high horse. Instead I invite you to step up and join me on it. Who knows, you may be the one to gain the most by viewing things from a different perspective.

Maybe there is a different reason you have the air to yourself. I can think of a few people that get the air to themselves and it has nothing to do with wind.

You're not entirely correct there Zetor. I've known people like that over the years too and believe me it, has a lot to do with the wind, a very big wind of a different nature! Hehehehe!!!

I'm not worthy oh great one[sm=thumbdown.gif]

Fly at the level you are comfortable with. Don't let anyone push you into flying if you don't feel up to the winds that day. It's your plane and your fun.

$100 used to be a lot to me too. Don't let it bother you. Not everybody has money to throw away just to impress someone, or to fly like everyone else. Believe it or not, but the more experienced guys will respect you more for sitting out windy conditions more than if you took off when it was foolish for your skill level. No shame in knowing your limitations. I've only got around 150 flights myself and I remember how it was to be in your position not long ago. I thought twice about the winds this past Saturday. It wasn't terribly bad, but I waited a while before flying. I don't worry what others think. I could have flown in the wind without any problem, but I wouldn't have enjoyed it that much with the plane I had that day.

You fellows exemplify the classic herd mentality; you all think alike, speak alike and wish alike (wish you had a hundred bucks). People who express a differing opinion than that of the herd intimidate you. Whereby you all come together to muster up the courage to attack the lone dissenter.

If flying in less than perfect conditions intimidate you than that’s your business. The guy that started this thread asked for opinions. You in the herd gave him yours and I the wolf gave him mine. Now he can choose to be comfortable sitting in the pits with the rest of you ladies or he can challenge himself by joining the men on the line.

[sm=lol.gif]


Keep your comments coming. I find them quite comical!

ROTFLMAO!!!!!

Uncas, take a look at this thread. Then you can see for yourself what some of the experienced guys that he's referring to here have to say on this subject of wind. You’ll also discover the difference between a herd (prey) and a pack (hunters). Then you can decide which one you want to be.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/Wind...1857352/tm.htm

Is your avitar a self portrait?

I just started this hobby and everytime I went to the feild it was very windy.I didnt have hardly anything invested in the plane so I flew.I think this practice makes a great learning experience.. And oh boy talk about the adrenalin rush. But in the end its up to you and your comfort level.. But i love it... Brad

I read that thread. Interesting read. Lot's of encouragement from experienced fliers and others expressing their concerns about flying in the wind. Not all that different from this thread, with one exception. There was not one single person who posted, in that thread, that ridiculed another flyer or attempted to make another flyer feel as if they are less than a man simply because of their inability to deal with, or fear of, flying in the wind. How very refreshing! I thank you for bringing that to my attention. [sm=lol.gif]

Fying in windy conditions can give you some of the best thrills in this sport. Those who never fly in windy conditions are missing a lot. The key is to not fall in love with your plane to the point were your first concern always is not to damage it. I sometimes have to "talk" to my plane; "You are going to do this or die trying". The best thrill is landing in gusts. You have to have a plane with a high wing loading, responsive, and built strong, good throttle responce, reliable engine. On final approach the plane may roll 90 degrees, uncommanded. You correct and then it balloons up 20 feet and rolls the other way 90 degrees and drops 30 feet. You correct. The sticks are moving as if by themselfs. You feel like you are on a bucking horse. You finally land, bring it to you, stop the engine. You set the transmitter down and then notice your hands shaking. What a rush. Calm down, refuel and take it up again. To get there you have to practice flying in the wind. Yes, you will crash. So? I have hundreds of crashed under my belt and expect many more.

I agree that flying in the wind is a skill that MOST pilots acquire. But not on their third flight! Especially with 25 mph winds.

I don't care how good you are, at 25 and much higher, is about all a trainer can take.


A trainer with the high wings and dihedral is even harder to control in 25 mph winds.

I think most agree that it can be a rush and can be fun to fly in the wind. But telling a newbie with 2 flights under his belt that he is less of a man if he won't put his bird up those condition is rediculous at the least.


Keep the thread in context.

No one needs to take a look at any thread. The guy has only 2 flights on a glow plane. You act like you just can't grasp that. It is really simple. People that have 2 flights on a glow plane who decide not to fly on days with 25mph gusts are not doomed to sitting in the pitts all their life. They don't have lifestyle problems either because they prefer to save a 150.00 plane if they can.

I feel better about my decision not to fly. Thanks!

It looks like some of us do well in the wind, and that is encouraging. When I get more experience I will challenge the wind a little more, I was just not sure what is considered windy for a fuel plane.

Now you have also learned what is windy for select RCU contributors...... some can be very windy