Windy landings and rudder use?
- Thread starter JGriffis
- Start date
PilotGuy37
New Member
Well, went up today in a 15-20kt cross wind, gusting to 30 with a 90 degree deflection. Didn't have much choice but crab her down and then kick it over. Not my favorite thing to do but it's a nice "tool" to have when ya need it.
Take care.
Take care.
There are probably a billion different methods of crosswind/heavy wind landings, but I think it all depends on the manufacturers suggestions coupled with common sense.
Some people will perform heavy crosswind landins at flaps 28 instead of flaps 40, but then the normal visual cues differ so much that any advantage of using a lower flap setting is 'eaten up' with relearning how a flaps 28 landing is supposed to look.
But a consistent method that I've used at my two previous employers is adding half of the steady-state headwind component, and all of the gust factor.
Personally, I leave out the slip until I'm about 200 feet AGL, but I've seen some other guys set it up at 1000 feet and keep it in until touchdown.
Some people will perform heavy crosswind landins at flaps 28 instead of flaps 40, but then the normal visual cues differ so much that any advantage of using a lower flap setting is 'eaten up' with relearning how a flaps 28 landing is supposed to look.
But a consistent method that I've used at my two previous employers is adding half of the steady-state headwind component, and all of the gust factor.
Personally, I leave out the slip until I'm about 200 feet AGL, but I've seen some other guys set it up at 1000 feet and keep it in until touchdown.
Acadia
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Another point to clarify: do not add anything to your approach speed to compensate for a crosswind. Do not add anything. If you approach at 60 kts, you still approach at 60 kts. You add some airspeed for a gust factor, not a steady-state crosswind.
[/ QUOTE ]
That works ok if the actual cross wind is below the aircrafts demonstrated crosswind component. If the wind is too strong you simply will not have enough rudder authority to align the aircraft with the runway if you are at normal approach and flare speeds. If the actual crosswind component is above the aircraft demonstrated cross wind component you have three options I can think of:
1. Give it all the rudder you have at flare and land misaligned with the runway.
2. Climb out on the tail and nail some plywood to the rudder to increase the surface area.
3. Increase airspeed to increase rudder effectiveness.
I prefer option 3.
Another point to clarify: do not add anything to your approach speed to compensate for a crosswind. Do not add anything. If you approach at 60 kts, you still approach at 60 kts. You add some airspeed for a gust factor, not a steady-state crosswind.
[/ QUOTE ]
That works ok if the actual cross wind is below the aircrafts demonstrated crosswind component. If the wind is too strong you simply will not have enough rudder authority to align the aircraft with the runway if you are at normal approach and flare speeds. If the actual crosswind component is above the aircraft demonstrated cross wind component you have three options I can think of:
1. Give it all the rudder you have at flare and land misaligned with the runway.
2. Climb out on the tail and nail some plywood to the rudder to increase the surface area.
3. Increase airspeed to increase rudder effectiveness.
I prefer option 3.
Actually, a bit of added airspeed helps with the energy bleed when you do the 'crab-into-the-wind-then-use-rudder-and-aileron-to-straighten-the-nose-out' thingy.
Or if you're in a 737 classic, just land it in a crab and continue on with your day! (castering main gear)
Or if you're in a 737 classic, just land it in a crab and continue on with your day! (castering main gear)
RiddlePilot
New Member
[ QUOTE ]
So for a light single, who prefers to use the kickout method in a crosswind?
[/ QUOTE ]
Kickout. I used to use the wing-low method until I started flying multis. I switched to kickout, and never went back.
So for a light single, who prefers to use the kickout method in a crosswind?
[/ QUOTE ]
Kickout. I used to use the wing-low method until I started flying multis. I switched to kickout, and never went back.
DrBenny
New Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Another point to clarify: do not add anything to your approach speed to compensate for a crosswind. Do not add anything. If you approach at 60 kts, you still approach at 60 kts. You add some airspeed for a gust factor, not a steady-state crosswind.
[/ QUOTE ]
That works ok if the actual cross wind is below the aircrafts demonstrated crosswind component. If the wind is too strong you simply will not have enough rudder authority to align the aircraft with the runway if you are at normal approach and flare speeds. If the actual crosswind component is above the aircraft demonstrated cross wind component you have three options I can think of:
1. Give it all the rudder you have at flare and land misaligned with the runway.
2. Climb out on the tail and nail some plywood to the rudder to increase the surface area.
3. Increase airspeed to increase rudder effectiveness.
I prefer option 3.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thank you for the clarification. You are absolutely right. But since I don't want to land too fast, which is also dangerous, if there is so much crosswind that rudder can't compensate, I'm landing somewhere else.
[ QUOTE ]
Another point to clarify: do not add anything to your approach speed to compensate for a crosswind. Do not add anything. If you approach at 60 kts, you still approach at 60 kts. You add some airspeed for a gust factor, not a steady-state crosswind.
[/ QUOTE ]
That works ok if the actual cross wind is below the aircrafts demonstrated crosswind component. If the wind is too strong you simply will not have enough rudder authority to align the aircraft with the runway if you are at normal approach and flare speeds. If the actual crosswind component is above the aircraft demonstrated cross wind component you have three options I can think of:
1. Give it all the rudder you have at flare and land misaligned with the runway.
2. Climb out on the tail and nail some plywood to the rudder to increase the surface area.
3. Increase airspeed to increase rudder effectiveness.
I prefer option 3.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thank you for the clarification. You are absolutely right. But since I don't want to land too fast, which is also dangerous, if there is so much crosswind that rudder can't compensate, I'm landing somewhere else.
DrBenny
New Member
[ QUOTE ]
Actually, a bit of added airspeed helps with the energy bleed when you do the 'crab-into-the-wind-then-use-rudder-and-aileron-to-straighten-the-nose-out' thingy.
[/ QUOTE ]
Of course, you are right!
I'm just a crosswind wimp, I guess, so that if I stay a few knots below the demo'd crosswind component, I don't need to worry.
Actually, a bit of added airspeed helps with the energy bleed when you do the 'crab-into-the-wind-then-use-rudder-and-aileron-to-straighten-the-nose-out' thingy.
[/ QUOTE ]
Of course, you are right!
I'm just a crosswind wimp, I guess, so that if I stay a few knots below the demo'd crosswind component, I don't need to worry.