I got my plane out today, and went back up on the buddy box. There were 10-15 mph winds on and off, and out of the North. I have done all my flying with the winds out of the South. I thought I would have to learn to land all over again since it was a different direction. Well, I flew 3 times today and landed 3 times. I'm glad there was wind, I like learning in it. It really helped me float her in. No prop strikes or anything today, so my instructor said probably about 5 more landings and a couple dead sticks and he'll turn me loose. For any new guys reading this, I don't see how you can beat the World Models SkyRaider Mach 1. It's a $70 ARF and she flies awesome and does aerobatics really well.

I was about to say that I really like flying in wind, until I remembered flying on Friday with zero wind and loving that, too.
Wind can really help you or challenge you, especially on take off's and landings. I like a challenge.

Keep up the good work! It's a great feeling when you know you can head to the field at any given moment and fly, regardless of who is there.

Those of us that live in Oklahama CAN'T land without the wind. When it's calm we all spend 5 minutes going around after we overshoot the runway because we are used to the wing slowing us down!!!

I think last Friday was the first truly calm day I've seen since I started flying 2 months ago. It was really something; so easy, predictable, and smooth! I was told 'if you're gonna fly in Vermont, you're gonna fly in the wind.'

The wind is our nemesis here on the left coast. It's not the volicity, but the sudden swings that raise cane with our flying. Most mornings are fairly calm until about 9am and then things start to change. Taking off into a strong head wind, and a few minutes later starting to land to see the wind has changed by 90 degrees, only to change again when you are on final. The winds are enough of an issue that I've put up a close weather station on our clubs web site so we can at least have a clue what is happening at the field before the 50 to 60 mile round trip. Especially at $4.69 a gallon.

There is a national, not sure about international, weather group that puts individuals weather stations on line. Weather Underground.
http://www.wunderground.com/weathers...?ID=KCASANLU17 Theis is a link for Cuesta College which is about 1/4 to 1/3 mile from our field. If you look at the map, and zoom out, you can scan to your location and then click one of the ballons which show the currnt temature. The will show the current conditions at the ballon. If you then double click the name of the station, it will bring up the history up to current time like shown on my line to our local station. THe stations vary in reporting frequinecy and the data loged. Our station has a "rapid fire" wind speed/direction as well at Temp and is updated every 2 to 5 seconds.

By the way, look at our web site, http://www.sloflyers.com/ and go to the field weather page for some more info.

Don