Wind - How much is too much?

Since this is a relative question, and will depend on the plane and the comfort level of the flyer, it is best to go out early in the morning before the wind comes up on an expected windy day and work up to it. That way you can determine the limits of your own comfort level. Just remember, if there is a question in your mind, don't fly. Even if you are at a contest, if you aren't confident that you can fly through in the amount of wind, don't fly. In one twenty second mix of ego and stupidity you can wipe out 6 months of labor. 'Tis better to pack up and drive away and live to fly another day.

And sometimes not.

You need room to do this, of course. And no spectators downwind (or fences, or trees, or...).

>
>Currell

At your age, I'd give $10 bucks to watch you sprint at anything

Charlie

If its noticably windy, and you have doubts, forget it!pack
up and head home!!!!!!!!

Last summer I got over confident and atempted to take off
in a 20 mph + cross wind. Once I reached altitude, the wind
took over and blew my prize Nobler right up against the lines!

Result, I lost all control because of slack lines and lost
one of my best stunt planes to the order of 500 pieces!

As Lenord N. said, its better to pack up and walk away so
you can fly another day!

G.Man

The the little Dwyer wind meter is very practical. You don't really need to know any more accuracately. It's very inexpensive, and widely available.

You are correct that most people overestimate. For example, on finals day at the '00 NATS, the sustained wind was around 20 mph, and people were wondering if it was up to the limit (40 mph).

> Of course
>there is still the smooth
>wind vs. turbulent wind problem,
>and up/downdrafts. And just wait
>until you experience 180 degree
>wind sheer at about 50'
>altitude and 10-12 mph in
>opposite directions. I would add
>that (according to cheapo gauge)
>12mph is enough wind to
>keep you cautious. Steve

The turbulence is a much bigger problem than high but steady wind. The wind speed on Monday at the Lubbock NATS in 94 was about 35 mph steady, and that was plenty flyable with a piped airplane (although it broke a lot of ST60 models, and 1/2A was won by the only person to make complete level laps) because is was clean as a whistle. But I've had times at David's site in Napa where 5 mph from the wrong direction was close to unflyable.

The worst conditions I have ever flown in was in Dayton, at the Buzzin' Buzzard's field near the river. The wind was 15-20 mph, but coming over 60 foot trees about 15' from the circle on the upwind side. It was almost completely unflyable. I almost wrecked in level flight several times, and while I made it through a semblance of the entire pattern, I ended up folding the stabilizer! The problem was greatly exacerbated by the fact that the airplane was a 7:1 aspect ratio.

This highest speeds I've ever flown in was 35ish, at Lubbock, Tri-Cities, and a contest in San Jose in the late 80's. The day at Tri-Cities was also the day Gordon Delaney wind-flew the big yellow twin for about 10 minutes after the engine quit on an official flight!

More might be possible, but I find I have a lot of other things to do when it gets like that. 35 is A LOT!

The Dwyer gauge is the one I have. It works on the Bernouli principle and has two speed ranges. Unfortunately, the beads can stick and also you can get slightly different readings depending on your hand position as you hold the critter. All in all, the price is right and it's pretty bullet-proof. I believe it is still available from FAI Model Supply and REI. Bruce Hunt has a high- tech job with a pinwheel in it. I saw its reading during a windy contest at Boeing Space Center, and it seemed to be reading much lower than I thought it should, and I am "calibrated" to the Dwyer with 15 years of towing gliders, where it really matters. I saw a website for "Minox" that had one similar. I think Bruce's is claimed to be accurate within 3%, which isn't much. The real deal is using your own gauge to select your trim changes from your notebook, not somebody else's gauge. And of course estimating the dreaded turbulence from trees, buildings, and such, as well as thermal activity. "Your results may vary! Do NOT try this at home. Go to the flying field." Steve

The two worst wind conditions I have flown it were #1 at Brodak's in 1999 on Sunday. Almost no wind at all, I hit some wake turbulence at the top of an inside loop and the plane nearly did an outside snap roll - no kidding! #2 At St Louis also in 99 in their Feb contest there, the wind was steady at about 20-22 with gust in excess of 30 - through some trees no less. I didn't fly my Intrepid that sunday but flew the Cavalier. I guess #3 would be my practice field on Redstone with the wind blowing from the north through some trees very close to the circle - 15 mph will give you a wild flight! At Whitehouse near Jacksonville, FL the wind can be 20 steady and there's no problem at all! I guess it depends on the feild conditions and how you can re-trim you airplane to meet the wind conditions - I just speed mine up a little with the needle setting.