i wanted to go fly today for the first time but there is 12mph winds. is this to strong of a wind to fly for the first time?

It really depends on the plane you are flying and your skill level. The .40 size glow planes will handle it just fine, but the electrics on the other hand hate wind;any wind. My GWS slow stick gives me problems at anything over 5MPH. But if you plan on staying in the hobby eventually you will just have to bite the bullet and learn to fly in the wind. If you wait around for that perfect day you will be sitting at home a long time.

i have a nexstar and have never flown before.

I wouldnt fly today or any other day without an instructor, but with an instructor todays a good day.

i will be flying with an instructor.

It sounds like you don't have an instructor, if not try and find one. Trust me on this, I tried it. Your first flight will only last a few seconds and you will be buying a new plane.

Nevermind, if you have an instructor go have fun![8D] Better off learning in it anyway.

thanks to all of u. i think i will go fly today

If you have to ask, you've answered your own question. Give yourself a break and carefully select your flying days. The best times to fly are early morning and late evening. Also wind conditions depend greatly upon the location of your field. Some fields are sheltered while others are stuck up on a high elevation compared to their surroundings.

There will be plenty of ideal days during the warm weather flying months, and for those windy days, you can practicv on your simulator.

Ciao,

Eagle Al[8D]

i went to the club and nobody was flying. they said it was too windy.i will try to go next weekend.

How windy was it?

sk8er, if it was anything like it was hear, it was too windy, If i can't make the plane go forward with half throttle into the wind, i will get on the ground ASAP.

The thing you have to think about in high wind is,what if you get about 5 mistakes high, and the engine cuts off? How are you gonna get a plne going backwards down?

don't force flying, I know you are really wanting to fly your new plane, but dont force it. There were many days before i found and instructor, that i would tyr to go out and fly, but most of the time something messed up. I am so glad looking back, because now i still have that plane.

there was 12-15 mph winds today but it was a little gusty.better safe than sorry.

As long as you fly with an instructor and with a buddy box 12 mph wind should not be an issue with the NexSTAR. I learned to fly with the NexSTAR and for the first several flights, the wind was a bit high, and it was about a 60 degree crosswind to boot. Just get it up there and learn to cope with it. You will be surprised how well you can do after you learn a few things about handling it in the wind.

But, the gusty part will get you! 12 to 15 sustained will be fine. But, if it's gusting to 20? No way--not with a trainer for sure! Better safe than sorry. I know of one good instructor who lost a plane because higher level winds were stronger than on the ground. The strong winds unseated the wing, and it came to rest on top of the cabin, instead of in the saddle where it belongs. That changed the wing incidence so much that the plane couldn't be controlled. You're better off if it's a bolt on wing, but I still wouldn't tempt fate. Too expensive of a hobby!

We had 15 mph winds here but the gusts were up to 30. I always check the gusts because thats what will make those unexpected "oh crap" moments. Why does the wind always want to gust as soon as you think about landing???

My son soloed yesterday, after only 11 flights - no simulator time at all. He disliked the one day that we had less than 10mph wind. Flying in wind is FUN. Use the wind, don't fight it. Once the plane is in the air, it does not know or care, that there is wind. (Some types won't work though, eg light electrics.) Wind bothers pilots, not planes. BTW - He is flying a Avistar running a TT .54 4-c.

The main problem on windy days is the reliability of your engine. If you can't glide back, you have a problem. I teach my pupils to remember the "cone". It is simply this - the further out you are, the higher you better be. If there is wind, the cone is skewed to compensate for the wind. You don't fly as far out downwind as you can upwind.

Gusty wind can be a real challenge, but the more you practice, the better you will get.

A footnote, a few years ago my 33% ultimate dead-sticked directly in front of me flying upwind. The wind prevented any forward glide but I just kept flying it, ignoring the direction over the ground, it landed safely BACKWARDS relative to ground. The bipe did not know that it was not supposed to do that.

Safe Flying!

blike, Me and my instructor went out one day with some high winds, we landing and took off in 10 feet, We would be off the ground when we went across the road, then we would just be going 1.2 throttle and stay in one spot with his LT-25, It was FUN!

Your better off not flying in gusty conditions. I know it is hard to wait at first, but the winds make it tougher. I flew in 20 with my huge PT-19 this weekend, but it is so heavy the wind didn't bug it much. Direct cross so it made me work on the landing. Wouldn't suggest doing it when you are new though.

Saturday we had 20+ gusting over 30 and Sunday we were gusting to 20+. I flew Sunday twice but not with a trainer and it was turbulent but just didn't want to lose the whole weekend. took 3 passes to get down on second flight so I said that was enough FUN? One other guy did a little copter hovering but nobody else flew at all.

If your instructors are unwilling to fly, then it is time to just watch the trees bend or go home and wait for a better day. Not worth dinging your only plane up. I've got extra planes, you don't.
I definitely would not have taken a student up here this weekend. []

I agree with Dicksoucy. A beginner with an Instructor in that kind of wind should not be an issue. Don't be intimidated by the wind. Learn the following line - "What Wind?" Learn to fly in the wind, to use the wind, to understand it, ultra slow flight, crab on landing - it's all fun and you will be a better pilot for it. My cutoff point for the fly/nofly decision is whether or not the wind blows the plane over when taxi-ing. If it does not, I'm off and havin fun! My God, if I had to wait for the perfect day to fly in Wisconsin, I would be grounded 364 days a year...... and that's being optimistic!

nobody was at the field so i went across the street to the LHS and there were a couple of them drive buggies and monster trucks because it was to windy to fly. thanks for all your responses.[8D]

When i got home yesterday from coming back from the field with no flying, it axied around with no wing and the wind knocked hte plane over. A LITTLE too much wind for me

Re "If your instructors are unwilling to fly, then it is time to just watch the trees bend or go home" < Thats funny!!