2R wrote:The biggest crosswind i have experienced in a 172 and landed without any concern was 50 knots in St.George,Utah.
They came out to watch a crazy canuck crash.What they got was a free lesson on a perfect x-wind landing
The biggest wind straight down the tube was 70 knots in Courtenay in the 172.Crossed the fence at 120 in the 172 in an attempt to control the attitude for landing.Did i mention that Courtenay is not that long 1800 ft.With the right wind a 172 can be safely landed in about 150 feet.
The scariest crosswinds are never the constant blow ,it is the gusts that will challenge you.As the gusts will steal your lift and make attitude control difficult.Adding a gust factor of about half the gust helps maintain effective control.Although when it is blowing hard you may just have to fly it on at cruise speed and hope that some people are their to help walk the wings in off the runway so it does not flip over in the gusts.
A small gusting crosswind can catch a fella napping.I always watch out for the nasty little choppy gusts that are more dangerous than big constant cross-winds.
What is that thing they call wind shear again, i think i flew through some in the Bow Valley late one afternoon.Thinking about it makes me want to go to the bathroom for some reason.
A superior airman uses his superior judgement to avoid situations requiring him to use his superior skill.....