I recently experienced this - so it does happen. Makes me believe a new pilot should learn how to handle flying in the wind at the earliest opportunity.

I was about 6 or 7 flights after solo and headed to the field after work. There was no one else at the field. It was overcast and cool. The wind was blowing about 6-8 MPH - straight down the runway from the SW. Just right!

I got up into the air, flew around randomly for a bit, and then added in a few basic maneuvers - figure eight, roll, loop. All of a sudden ... "SLAM" ... the wind came up out of nowhere and slammed both me and the plane. The wind instantly jumped another 15 to 20 miles per hour - blowing at I'd guess 25 to 30 - with gusts to possibly 35. I suddenly found myself flying in the strongest winds I've yet to see at the field. And after a couple of minutes I could see that the wind wasn't planning on letting up before I ran out of fuel.

Well, it wasn't like I could yell to someone else for help. Recognizing that I was on my own to get my plane down in one piece I decided to close with the runway and start a landing approach - so I could get a feel for the situation and hopefully land under power while I still had fuel. A quick check of the windsock showed the wind was still straight down the runway. So I entered my down wind leg and throttled way back to try and help keep my airspeed down.

My base leg turn was good, in spite of the wind, and I found myself lined up nicely with the runway centerline. Only the plane wasn't getting any closer to me. I believe it was actually even flying backwards - even though I had advanced the throttle quite a bit as I had turned on to the up wind leg. I gave it yet more throttle, and then some more, and watched the plane slowly inch it's way towards me.

This had to be one of the funniest things I've seen yet - while flying. The plane was 15-20 feet off the deck, I had a huge amount of throttle on (well over half-throttle), and the plane was barely moving relative to the ground. I stayed easy on the rons, making tiny smooth corrections as needed, and still trying to stay ready in case a cross gust caught me.

The plane slowly clawed up the runway. By the time it neared the pilot station area I had it down to about 7-8 feet off the deck. I now had my hands full trying to keep it level and centered. It finally drifted into me a bit so I eased off the throttle and decided it was coming down ready or not. I gave it a little flair and it settled right down on to the dirt apron just off the pilots area. I quickly killed the engine and ran up and grabbed it before the wind picked it up and blew it away. Caught a hold of it right as the wind was picking it up to throw her on her back. No damage, no harm, no foul!

Gobs, that was fun!!!!

Gotta agree with you. The only reason I didn't panic was I had some practice at flying in some reasonably strong winds. The first couple days out with my instructor were very windy. He just pointed out that if I wanted to fly, I needed to learn to handle the wind - and make it my friend. So we flew in the wind.

I needed to take some materials out to the field last evening. Local weather called the winds at 28 MPH. When I get to the field (yeah, my plane was with me) I see the wind straight down the runway again - the wind sock was straight out from the pole. No one else at the field again. I decided to see if my previous wind landing was a fluke. So, I prep out the plane, takeoff (10 feet roll), and have a ball playing in the wind.

Figured I was at about a quarter tank so I better start heading her down for the ground. Lined the plane up with the runway, gave it just enough throttle to slowly walk it up the runway towards me. As it came up with the pilots station I walked out to it while I eased off the throttle - settling it into a picture perfect harrier landing. Reached down and grabbed it before the wind could.

Yup! I'm hooked on wind flying! Doesn't mean I'm going to fly a $500.00+ plane around in storm force winds all the time. But, I will be doing a bunch more flying in winds that ground a lot of other guys. And that's easy around here. The wind blows most all the time. And it can come up at the blink of eye on days that start off quite calm.

If you want to learn to fly in stronger winds and you don't want to risk your high $ balsa beauty build a [link=http://spadtothebone.com/]SPAD[/link]. They are tough, inexpensive and quick to build. Go play in the wind with it. Who knows, the skills you learn may just save your $$$Balsa Beauty$$$ some day. Oh, and you'll have a whole bunch of fun while doing it!

I am sure as soon as your landed that day you fueled up and tried it again?

No, I took 10 or 15 minutes for a smoke break before the next flight.

Also put in two flights this evening in 18-22 mph winds. Would've done more but the wind dropped off for my other 3 flights.

Zombie,
Nice description of flying in strong wind. It can definitely be an adrenalin rush!

My last outing in the wind was similar. Other people were at the club when my brother (BCherry on RCU) and I arrived. They said they wanted to see how my flight went before they tried.

Hands were shaking after the first flight or two (and the other guys left the field ), but my brother got in a few flights too. And he'd only flown a couple times before.

I never tell someone to go beyond their level of comfort, but believe that you really do need to push yourself a little or you won't advance.
Dennis-

Thanks! I fly for fun and excitement - so a bit of adrenalin is a good thing to me. Some people like to avoid it. They fear things that don't need to be feared - merely respected.

But, it was FUN, wasn't it!? A completely new dimension of flying. I kinda like doing my strong wind flying without a bunch of people around, anyway. I'm sure I pay more attention to what I'm doing ... not having the distractions.

I couldn't agree more, Dennis. But, the individual has to make the choice for themselves.

Uncas, you probably made the right choice for the particular day. If you want to try the stronger winds in the future make a straight, flat-bottomed wing for your plane (or get a plane with one). They handle the wind better. As wings mentioned, a trainer with lots of dihedral isn't the best choice for strong winds. Do learn to fly in stronger winds sometime in the near future, though. It will make you a better/safer pilot and add immeasurably to your enjoyment of flying.

Sure as hell was windy today! I flew all day, but I like it better calm personally.

I'm happy for you though, wings - that at least you got some flying in.

I had a student come out today. I had buddy boxed him several times before and he did well. The winds were gusting to 28 mph today. I told him that today was his day to solo. He was very afraid and wanted to wait until a calmer day came along but I told him that he would have to learn to fly in the wind some day and there was no need to put it off. He managed to take off fine but really botched the approach and dumped it into the safety fence as it was a crosswind. It tore the plane all to s?>#. He was upset and so was I. A couple of guys sitting in the pitts argued with me that I should have waited for a more calm day. I told them that I wasn't trying to mold a pitt rat and that the student would thank me later on for the lesson he learned that day which was rudder control. You just can't reason with some people.

You should buy him a new plane. What a poor instructor.

I'm in 100% agreement with that "Bill." But there's one more thing you owe that student. Your most humble apology.

I did feel bad for the guy but I believe that he did learn something that day. I always feel bad when a student crashes or when I crash a student’s plane. I waived my fee for that day and told him that if he needed any help that I would be glad to offer my advise. I hope he gets another avistar. I loved flying that plane.

A lot of people fly tail draggers now-a-days and they are more difficult to handle on the ground with gusting cross winds. I’ve always found that tricycle gear lets you plant the aircraft on the ground at a higher speed and make it stick under windy conditions. Take off is easer to control too.

Troll

Real big of you to waive your fee.

Just a thought. Most, if not all trainers use a flat bottom airfoil "Clark Y". This type of airfoil is not the most appropiate selection when flying in winding conditions. It developes to much lift.
Have you considered switching to another airplane with a sysmeterical or semisemeterical airfoil selection? If you do, flying in windy conditions will present less of a problem. This solution is intendend for an intterim solution only. Once you have mastered flying in high winds you can fly most any type of airfol.

I agree wings, Bill is trolling.

Zombie,
If you read my first post, I said that the poster (what WAS his name? ) made a wise decision waiting for better conditions. I also said people should push themselves "a little". He would have been pushing himself a LOT.

I do agree that the challenge of flying in strong wind can be fun. And the adrenalin rush MUST be a good cardio workout! 20 to 25, gusting to 35 (according to local weather) has been my highest wind so far, and I survived it just fine thanks. And as a result, flying in 15 to 20 seems almost calm.

I wouldn't advize that anyone without a lot of experience or true natural ability try it though. It takes very quick response on the sticks.
Dennis-

DBC:

Please, Dennis, don;t say you think "BILL" is trolling. I have more than 9000 posts on RCU, all signed "Bill." If you must refer to that person/user, please say "Bill R." Even though my last initial is also "R" your inclusion will somewhat differentiate us. And there are many other "Bills" here who might also take umbrage at your just saying "Bill."

That being said, I too suspect an amount of untruth in "Bill R's" two postings here.

A steady wind is no harder to fly in than a dead calm, possibly easier. Gusting up to 10 mph or so is no big deal. Gusting from 5 to 35mph is an entirely different matter, and can easily lead to expensive splinters with the least inattention. If you don't think you're up to it, it's best not to fly.

Bill.

Whether he is trolling or not, just ignore the comment and keep it on track.

Thanks

While flying in a bit of a breeze is not as good as flying in calm air there is no reason to be scared of wind. Where I fly it is rarely below 5 knots of wind. A LOT of people at my club dont fly in winds above about 15 mph not because they dont want to, its because they can't. If you don't fly in wind how are you going to learn?? I'm not saying go out and train in gusty 25mph winds but every now and then when you getting to your normal wind limit, give it ago. There have been many times when I have been flying with the sky to myself in good conditions because most other people look outside and think "I cant handle that". Also flying in wind greatly increases your skills.

Bill (Robison),
Sorry, I figured it was obvious that I was referring to "that" Bill, but if I inadvertently lead anyone to the wrong conclusion, then I most certainly apologize! I don't think I've ever read a post of your's that I would have suspected as being a troll.

I agree with you about flying in a steady wind possibly being easier than a completely calm day. Steady wind will certainly help in taking off and landing.
Dennis-

Dennis:

I really don't think anyone would have been confused about the "Bill" to whom you referred. That comment was more poking fun than anything else.

So long as your landing speed is greater than the steady wind you should have no trouble at all flying in it. If the wind speed is greater than your landing speed you can still do it if the plane's maximum air speed is greater then the wind, but it can get dicey when you land going backwards.

Bill.

Oh yeah, landing backwards can be fun too! I've done a full flight with a little park flyer without moving more than about 10 feet total, in ANY direction, in 10 or so MPH winds. The guys were rolling on the ground.
Dennis-