So, I've been flying for about a month and a half now - after an 8 year break. Anyhow, I've never really learned to fly with decent wind, and today I set out to fly. Halfway to the club field, I saw a flag at an auto lot, and it was pretty straight - indicating pretty windy conditions. About 15-20mph winds, but I was determined.

Get to the field - unlock the gates - just me at the field this evening - cool - nobody to see me crash (should it happen).

Unload the Alpha 60, sporting a Super Tigre .91 4stroke, and a 14x8 prop. This past weekend, I could even idle it in for a landing, so I'm thinking the wind will help keep her slow. Boy was I wrong- she still takes a bite in the wind, and pulls the Alpha along plenty - even at a high idle. (Futaba 8UAP radio what has a high-low-off throttle setting) I'm always afraid to put it in low idle, cause it tends to cut off.

Anyhow, first take off roll, wings just about fold end of end, so I opt to not turn in to the wind - and make it a cross-wind take off. About a ten foot roll and she's airbourne- typical. Turn to a downwind leg, and she's screaming past, and I start the turn to base. Windy!!! Start on final, and she's coming in, nicely, a little gusty, and I'm about 1 mistakes high. Decide to practice some slow flight, and she creeps over the runway, snails pace - at idle - come back around - and she just won't set down on the ground. Eventually, I flip the swith - low idle, and she's coming in, dead sticked. Sweet landing, just awesome.

Anyhow, started playing with the throttle a little, and still didn't get it set quite right, but about 6 - 15 minute flights, half a gallon of glow fuel, and she's in one piece, no hard landing, notta - awesome plane, and I gotta commend myself on just taking to the wind, and getting more confident in flying when the ol' guys at the club won't even attempt to fly in anything over 15mph winds.

And another thing - I typically won't start the engine with a chicken stick, and opt for an electic starter - today - after the first flight, I felt the need to try the chicken stick - and the plane started backward - and decided to roll off the plane stand - I didn't think 4 strokes would run backwards. Guess I'll stick with the electric starter.

congratulations on flying in the wind!!! I had to learn that also seeing how it very rare for a calm day. after getting it down good I have alot of fun fighting the wind. it's really helped me learn rudder control.

Yep four strokes will run backward for a short time. Usually it is after they have sort of flooded and some fuel is in the exhaust. It sure is a susprise isn't it.

One thing to watch landing into a strong wind. Keep some speed up. I've saw more than one plane hoovering into a strong head wind and setteling down like a chopter when the wind decided to just stop. The plane drops like a rock at that point. Keep a bit of forward motion going in case the wind shifts or quits. I lost my 4*60 a month back because I got disorentated and turned down wind vs up wind on final. I was going slow enough that the turn caused me to loose air speed and it went in like a lawn dart. You just got to keep up air speed.

Don

G'day Mate,
I didn't know Super Tigre made 4 strokes.
Well done anyway, as the old saying goes, "The wind is your friend".

Congrats. i hate flying in the wind but love landing in it. I like to "slip" it in with a lil rudder and reverse airleron. It may be cocked coming in but level. Then right before you touch down ease off of everything and let her roll. Thats fun to me at this point. This is ofcourse in a crosswind.

When I was getting my Private Pilot's License, the forward slip to landing was one of my favorite manuevers.

The engine might be a Thunder Tigre. It's about 10 years old, and hadn't been ran up until about 2 months ago. Good engine, and runs good...for the most part. I didn't used to have problems during inverted flight, but lately, it's had it's share. Seems to only happen when the tank is less than half full. Yeah, yeah - I need to adjust the tank clunk or something - think I'm going to upgrade the tank and replace the clunk and everything.

It was a fun day in the wind, and can't wait for the next one. There are about four of us that have been flying over the past 2 months, and we've got about the same level of experience. They won't even attempt to start the engine if the wind is above 10mph - they surely don't know what they are missing.

I sometimes marvel at those who won't fly when there's wind. I like to know that i can get my planes down in one piece no matter what the wind is doing so i have pretty much stopped checking the wind forcasts unless I am going to do a maiden on a new plane. Much easier to set trims and such if your not fighting the wind. Whe I was practicing for IMAC, I made sure to try to get out on days when it was windy so I would know how to compensate. I also have had the wind come up rather suddenely when a storm blew up behind me. Went from 0-5mph wind to 20+ and gusting in less than 3 minutes. Barely had time to get the plane on the ground and toss the stuff in the van before the sky opened up. Flying in wind is a valuable skill that will allow you a lot more flying time.

I prefer 10-15 MPH winds.. It helps slow my planes down on final and it helps me plant them into the aproach. Cross winds are ok but when its 90 degrees to the runway at 20 MPH its time to call it a day...