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Too Much Crosswind?

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Subscriber question:

 "How can I tell when a crosswind is too much for landing?" - David P.

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Bob:

Crosswind“There are two limiting factors to think about (maximum demonstrated crosswind and AND pilot limitations). They are not necessarily the same and we need to know what they both are.

Just because the airplane (demonstrated) limits are 15 knots of direct cross wind, that situation may very well exceed the pilot’s skill and proficiency. Only practice will let you know what your own limitations are!

Rudder effectiveness will determine the safety of the landing. If the pilot is not able to keep the aircraft aligned with the runway on final, do not attempt the landing.

The pilot may want to test the winds by flying a low approach down the runway. If the aircraft is controllable throughout, a safe landing is certainly doable. And the pilot will feel much better about trying it!”

(NEW) VFR Mastery scenario #96 “Hat Trick” is now available. Your mostly grown children go to college or work in three states across the midwest. Visiting one by car is a long drive both ways, but you can plan a loop trip in your Mooney and get all three with ease. It’s your spouse’s birthday soon and you concoct a plan to meet each kid for dinner over a long weekend as a birthday surprise—if the weather cooperates. It’s July and convection plus your lagging IFR proficiency makes VFR a must. Cells will move through over the next three days, but there should be a sequence of destinations and a set of routes that will make this plan work, right? Watch the Intro video.

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