How much is too much wind with your new primary students?

Hootie

Hootie

Old Skool
I've had a CFI who wouldn't let me fly in anything more than 10 knots and I have had another CFI who would send me up if it was anything below 40 knots it seemed. Now that I'm the CFI I am trying to figure out standards for my primary students. I know it depends on the student but what if it is your first time or two with a brand new student or your first time or two with a student you have never flown with before? I hate cancelling their very first lesson with you because of weather. So what are your guidelines? Today I had was supposed to fly with 3 new students. Two intro flights and the TAF was saying winds of 25 gusts to 33 , 40 degree crosswind for the time of their flights so that was a no brainer cancel. But the other guy was earlier and he has (I hear) about 20 hours/ no solo but the winds were supposed to be more like 21 gusts to 28 and I have never flown with him. I couldn't get a hold of him to discuss the situation so I left a voice mail cancelling because of weather. I'd personally fly in it, but I really like instructing and have my students best interest in mind so I am always trying to refine my technique and process , so any input is much apreciated!
 
just ask yourself, "How much flying are THEY going to do versus YOU." If you are going to be doing the flying due to gusts and downright ratty conditions, your just taking their money.
 
You know this issue has been coming up a lot lately at our school. Some of the CFI's will go no matter what. And they're response to anyone who cancels due to wind is......."and you want to work for an airline".....or......."don't run away from a little wind"......these are the same guys that I will never fly with again. It is good to go out there when wind is a little strong but not when its steadily 16 or 18 knots and gusting to 26 or 28. Thats just dangerous. Ask yourself, am I comfortable with the situation, and if your not, don't go. That is that. Your the boss and you need to tell your student your not going. That will show him constraint as well as a example of setting a limit.

It still bugs me to this day that these guys at my school always go no matter what. I'm just going to sit back and wait till I hear the word one day that they scrapped a wing on the ground or somehow got into some trouble because of the wind.

Crosswind component also matters too. If the wind is straight down the middle of the runway, I might up my limits a bit. But if it all of a sudden changes to a 40 degree crosswind landing and the wind is blowing at 20 how are you ever gonna get that thing down safely. It's going to be a risky gamble. In my opinion, it's not worth the risk of a violation or tarnishing your record. Imagine if they ask you one day at a future job interview if youve ever beeen involved in an accident and say yes. "oh really, explain what happend". Well, I was doing pattern work and the wind was gusting to 25 or 26 knots. What does that tell the person whos interviewing you?
 
This is a strict thing in our school since it is all commercial/Multi IFR work, with the exception of people doing their ppl in the summer before starting classes. It is simple, for solo private students 10 gusting 20, 1st year (mainly commercial) 15 gusting 20, second year (multi and IFR) 20 gusting 25. Dual flights are cut off at 30 gusting 35. This has kept us with a very good safety record. All have max cross wind of 15 knots except the private students for which it is 10.
 
I think you made the right choice, thinking about your student's interest is the best line of action. When it is too turbulent out there, the student will not focus on what is important, he will fight the plane all the time.
My rule is, instructing: when I go out on the ramp, if the wind messes up my hair style, it is too windy!!!
Flying commercially: if the airplane is still on the ground, and not hovering by itself, there is not too much wind. But if I can't walk to the plane without the wind blowing me back inside, I will stay inside!!
 
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This is a strict thing in our school since it is all commercial/Multi IFR work, with the exception of people doing their ppl in the summer before starting classes. It is simple, for solo private students 10 gusting 20, 1st year (mainly commercial) 15 gusting 20, second year (multi and IFR) 20 gusting 25. Dual flights are cut off at 30 gusting 35. This has kept us with a very good safety record. All have max cross wind of 15 knots except the private students for which it is 10.

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Who you foolin'? 30 G 35? Are you saying that is the winds or the cross wind component?
 
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Dual flights are cut off at 30 gusting 35. This has kept us with a very good safety record. All have max cross wind of 15 knots except the private students for which it is 10.

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I think he meant dual flight wind 30 G 35, not necessarily x-wind. And then he says max x-wind of 15, except for students (I think solo).
This seems quite good to me...
 
I think this is good as well, any policy is good! it gives the CFIs as well as the students limits; And don't we all need limits??
 
We go dual only at 30, no fly above 35. For solo flights though all students need a wind endorsement from their instructors depending on the students ability. The highest one i have given was 26 with 12 crosswind. For 102's (PPL), i only give them maybe at most 12. They have to weather a lot, but thats tough they've only got 20 hours or so.
 
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