All entries for Tuesday 28 December 2004

Crosswind Circuits – Lesson 14

Coventry circuits again today – should have been straightforward with nice clear skies. However there was a strong crosswind ~ 12 kts coming from the right of the runway. So today I had my first go at a crosswind circuits.

Crosswind Take Off – wind direction right of runway

1. Aircraft is lined up as normal then ailerons moved in the direction of the wind -> control wind moved to the right
2. During take off aircraft wants to move into the wind (called weathercocking) so apply a bit of left rudder to maintain runway centre line
3. As speed increases during take off run should start to centralize control wheel until at point of take off wings are level.

Crosswind Circuit – wind direction from right of runway

1. After take off need to point nose to right to avoid drift
2. On crosswind leg wind is behind you – so this leg is v quick
3. On downwind leg need to point into wind (left)
4. Base leg wind is against you should have more time on this leg

On the above legs my positioning was pretty good – did account for wind direction

Final Approach and landing

I found this very difficult and even after the third circuit hadn’t got the approach right.

1. On final leg the aircraft nose should be pointing into the wind – i.e. right
2. Only when you are about to land should the aircraft be straightened (need to check this with instructor)

Notes

1. The crosswind was at 12kts was a the limit for crosswind circuits – for my level of expertise – a bit too much
2. How to calculate limit – look this up – angle between runway and wind direction in this case (270 – 230 = 40 deg) Then calculate the crosswind component - (Need to look this up)

Action points

1. must read chapters 12 and 13 again
2. next time need to talk through actions to ensure that no steps are being missed out
3. watch altitude on circuit – must keep at 1000ft (+/- 50 ft)
4. must try and relax – mark and wes (chief instructor) both think that it tension that making me nauseus

Christine Smith : 28 Dec 2004 14:26 |  Tags: Flying |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem