Relative wind impact on scale models
 

The term 'relative' comes to mind :) I don't think the effects are the same because of the size of a model vrs. the size of the full scale.

I do know they both REACT the same to (say) crosswinds, headwinds, etc.

There, that didn't help one bit did it?

Jerry

Relative wind impact on scale models
 

Wind effects are relative to the aircraft's flying speed, not its scale.

Lets say a 1/4 scale Piper Cub flies at close to the same speeds as the full scale aircraft... In that case, wind will have close to the same effects on both. (but ground turbulence will bother the model more)

But a 1/4 scale F-14 isn't going to get anywhere near Mach 2... The wind will have a much greater effect on the model than on the full scale. A trained Navy fighter pilot easilly fly a full scale F-14 in severe weather. (I've witnessed carrier landings of F-14's in 25 knot {gusting to 40 knots, not counting the speed of the ship} winds, heavy rain, sleet....) Try flying in a storm with the model and you get toothpicks. (or fiberglass scraps)

Relative wind impact on scale models
 

Mass comes into the equation as well. A 1/4 scale aircraft will not have anything even remotely close to 1/4 the mass of the full scale aircraft and this will make it react much quicker to a cosswind or to a wind gust.

In a full scale aircraft, I can crab into the wind and then kick the crab angle out just before touchdown. You can actually combine this with conventional crosswind technique to land in crosswinds that exceed the normal crosswind component of the aircraft whihc is handy if you live where the runways are narrow and the wind never stops. The large mass and inertia of the aircraft means it takes a second or two to begin to drift downwind. If you try this in a strong cosswind with a model, you get an immediate drift and a really messy landing.