Landing in very high winds
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A few weeks ago, a storm passed through my area with winds reported at 55kt and gusting to 68kt. Many light planes managed to break their tie-down ropes and were flung around the ramp area, which isn't surprising given the storm's winds were definitely above a typical light plane's VS0, VS1 and VR, possibly above VREF, VX and even VY. Pilots being pilots, though, there were soon jokes about being able to take off and land vertically.
I understand that actually trying this would be a very bad idea, even before one considers the other aspects of the storm, e.g. lightning, rain, hail, low visibility, etc. that would make flying unsafe anyway. I would never even think of trying it. Still, it seems like an interesting theoretical question.
Is it even theoretically possible to "land" or "take off" in such winds, at least within the usual meaning of those words? I can see that you could fly to touchdown easily enough, but how would you stop flying? How could you taxi and secure an aircraft when you need significant power just to not go flying up (and probably backward) off the ramp?
landing takeoff wind
asked 6 hours ago
StephenSStephenS
5,2111929
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A few weeks ago, a storm passed through my area with winds reported at 55kt and gusting to 68kt. Many light planes managed to break their tie-down ropes and were flung around the ramp area, which isn't surprising given the storm's winds were definitely above a typical light plane's VS0, VS1 and VR, possibly above VREF, VX and even VY. Pilots being pilots, though, there were soon jokes about being able to take off and land vertically.
I understand that actually trying this would be a very bad idea, even before one considers the other aspects of the storm, e.g. lightning, rain, hail, low visibility, etc. that would make flying unsafe anyway. I would never even think of trying it. Still, it seems like an interesting theoretical question.
Is it even theoretically possible to "land" or "take off" in such winds, at least within the usual meaning of those words? I can see that you could fly to touchdown easily enough, but how would you stop flying? How could you taxi and secure an aircraft when you need significant power just to not go flying up (and probably backward) off the ramp?
landing takeoff wind
asked 6 hours ago
StephenSStephenS
5,2111929
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Related: Is it an acceptable practice to take off in a microburst?
$endgroup$
– Ron Beyer
3 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A few weeks ago, a storm passed through my area with winds reported at 55kt and gusting to 68kt. Many light planes managed to break their tie-down ropes and were flung around the ramp area, which isn't surprising given the storm's winds were definitely above a typical light plane's VS0, VS1 and VR, possibly above VREF, VX and even VY. Pilots being pilots, though, there were soon jokes about being able to take off and land vertically.
I understand that actually trying this would be a very bad idea, even before one considers the other aspects of the storm, e.g. lightning, rain, hail, low visibility, etc. that would make flying unsafe anyway. I would never even think of trying it. Still, it seems like an interesting theoretical question.
Is it even theoretically possible to "land" or "take off" in such winds, at least within the usual meaning of those words? I can see that you could fly to touchdown easily enough, but how would you stop flying? How could you taxi and secure an aircraft when you need significant power just to not go flying up (and probably backward) off the ramp?
landing takeoff wind
asked 6 hours ago
StephenSStephenS
5,2111929
$endgroup$
A few weeks ago, a storm passed through my area with winds reported at 55kt and gusting to 68kt. Many light planes managed to break their tie-down ropes and were flung around the ramp area, which isn't surprising given the storm's winds were definitely above a typical light plane's VS0, VS1 and VR, possibly above VREF, VX and even VY. Pilots being pilots, though, there were soon jokes about being able to take off and land vertically.
I understand that actually trying this would be a very bad idea, even before one considers the other aspects of the storm, e.g. lightning, rain, hail, low visibility, etc. that would make flying unsafe anyway. I would never even think of trying it. Still, it seems like an interesting theoretical question.
Is it even theoretically possible to "land" or "take off" in such winds, at least within the usual meaning of those words? I can see that you could fly to touchdown easily enough, but how would you stop flying? How could you taxi and secure an aircraft when you need significant power just to not go flying up (and probably backward) off the ramp?
landing takeoff wind
landing takeoff wind
asked 6 hours ago
StephenSStephenS
5,2111929
asked 6 hours ago
StephenSStephenS
5,2111929
edited 2 hours ago
StephenS
asked 6 hours ago
StephenSStephenS
5,2111929
asked 6 hours ago
StephenSStephenS
5,2111929
asked 6 hours ago
StephenSStephenS
5,2111929
5,2111929
$begingroup$
Related: Is it an acceptable practice to take off in a microburst?
$endgroup$
– Ron Beyer
3 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Related: Is it an acceptable practice to take off in a microburst?
$endgroup$
– Ron Beyer
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Related: Is it an acceptable practice to take off in a microburst?
$endgroup$
– Ron Beyer
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
Related: Is it an acceptable practice to take off in a microburst?
$endgroup$
– Ron Beyer
3 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
In an unmodified GA aircraft gusty winds would be beyond any reasonable safety limits.
In a steady wind the trick would be to reduce your AOA to a point where your airspeed no longer generated enough lift to exceed the weight of the plane. Immediately raising flaps after touch down and heavy braking would increase your chances (you may not have much
ground speed at all anyways!).
The Space Shuttle Orbiter used a shortened nose wheel strut to help hold the
runway after landing at over 200 mph (making its own Category 5 hurricane).
Once the nose dropped through 0 lift AOA and into negative lift AOA, the wind would
actually help hold it on the runway.
But for the average Cessna, the best move is not to put yourself in that situation.
Check weather before flying, and divert to a safer airport if you can. A large airport with
long, wide runways and someone to help you would greatly improve the odds.
If you had to land, it would be directly into the wind. Once down, taxi into the wind with
some down elevator. I would be screaming on the radio for people to help secure the plane.
But if you get down, save your life first, then the plane if you can.
answered 3 hours ago
Robert DiGiovanniRobert DiGiovanni
2,7281316
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
+1 for last sentence
$endgroup$
– vasin1987
1 hour ago
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indeed. I've seen the aftermath of a very heavy storm on improperly secured commuter planes, and it wasn't pretty. That same storm would have blown an unsecured C172 right into the side of a hangar (or another aircraft). Bad enough if nobody's on board, but if you are on board it's far worse.
$endgroup$
– jwenting
7 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It can be done. Some bushplane action...
answered 3 hours ago
MikeYMikeY
71417
$endgroup$
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
In an unmodified GA aircraft gusty winds would be beyond any reasonable safety limits.
In a steady wind the trick would be to reduce your AOA to a point where your airspeed no longer generated enough lift to exceed the weight of the plane. Immediately raising flaps after touch down and heavy braking would increase your chances (you may not have much
ground speed at all anyways!).
The Space Shuttle Orbiter used a shortened nose wheel strut to help hold the
runway after landing at over 200 mph (making its own Category 5 hurricane).
Once the nose dropped through 0 lift AOA and into negative lift AOA, the wind would
actually help hold it on the runway.
But for the average Cessna, the best move is not to put yourself in that situation.
Check weather before flying, and divert to a safer airport if you can. A large airport with
long, wide runways and someone to help you would greatly improve the odds.
If you had to land, it would be directly into the wind. Once down, taxi into the wind with
some down elevator. I would be screaming on the radio for people to help secure the plane.
But if you get down, save your life first, then the plane if you can.
answered 3 hours ago
Robert DiGiovanniRobert DiGiovanni
2,7281316
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
+1 for last sentence
$endgroup$
– vasin1987
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
indeed. I've seen the aftermath of a very heavy storm on improperly secured commuter planes, and it wasn't pretty. That same storm would have blown an unsecured C172 right into the side of a hangar (or another aircraft). Bad enough if nobody's on board, but if you are on board it's far worse.
$endgroup$
– jwenting
7 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In an unmodified GA aircraft gusty winds would be beyond any reasonable safety limits.
In a steady wind the trick would be to reduce your AOA to a point where your airspeed no longer generated enough lift to exceed the weight of the plane. Immediately raising flaps after touch down and heavy braking would increase your chances (you may not have much
ground speed at all anyways!).
The Space Shuttle Orbiter used a shortened nose wheel strut to help hold the
runway after landing at over 200 mph (making its own Category 5 hurricane).
Once the nose dropped through 0 lift AOA and into negative lift AOA, the wind would
actually help hold it on the runway.
But for the average Cessna, the best move is not to put yourself in that situation.
Check weather before flying, and divert to a safer airport if you can. A large airport with
long, wide runways and someone to help you would greatly improve the odds.
If you had to land, it would be directly into the wind. Once down, taxi into the wind with
some down elevator. I would be screaming on the radio for people to help secure the plane.
But if you get down, save your life first, then the plane if you can.
answered 3 hours ago
Robert DiGiovanniRobert DiGiovanni
2,7281316
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
+1 for last sentence
$endgroup$
– vasin1987
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
indeed. I've seen the aftermath of a very heavy storm on improperly secured commuter planes, and it wasn't pretty. That same storm would have blown an unsecured C172 right into the side of a hangar (or another aircraft). Bad enough if nobody's on board, but if you are on board it's far worse.
$endgroup$
– jwenting
7 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
In an unmodified GA aircraft gusty winds would be beyond any reasonable safety limits.
In a steady wind the trick would be to reduce your AOA to a point where your airspeed no longer generated enough lift to exceed the weight of the plane. Immediately raising flaps after touch down and heavy braking would increase your chances (you may not have much
ground speed at all anyways!).
The Space Shuttle Orbiter used a shortened nose wheel strut to help hold the
runway after landing at over 200 mph (making its own Category 5 hurricane).
Once the nose dropped through 0 lift AOA and into negative lift AOA, the wind would
actually help hold it on the runway.
But for the average Cessna, the best move is not to put yourself in that situation.
Check weather before flying, and divert to a safer airport if you can. A large airport with
long, wide runways and someone to help you would greatly improve the odds.
If you had to land, it would be directly into the wind. Once down, taxi into the wind with
some down elevator. I would be screaming on the radio for people to help secure the plane.
But if you get down, save your life first, then the plane if you can.
answered 3 hours ago
Robert DiGiovanniRobert DiGiovanni
2,7281316
$endgroup$
In an unmodified GA aircraft gusty winds would be beyond any reasonable safety limits.
In a steady wind the trick would be to reduce your AOA to a point where your airspeed no longer generated enough lift to exceed the weight of the plane. Immediately raising flaps after touch down and heavy braking would increase your chances (you may not have much
ground speed at all anyways!).
The Space Shuttle Orbiter used a shortened nose wheel strut to help hold the
runway after landing at over 200 mph (making its own Category 5 hurricane).
Once the nose dropped through 0 lift AOA and into negative lift AOA, the wind would
actually help hold it on the runway.
But for the average Cessna, the best move is not to put yourself in that situation.
Check weather before flying, and divert to a safer airport if you can. A large airport with
long, wide runways and someone to help you would greatly improve the odds.
If you had to land, it would be directly into the wind. Once down, taxi into the wind with
some down elevator. I would be screaming on the radio for people to help secure the plane.
But if you get down, save your life first, then the plane if you can.
answered 3 hours ago
Robert DiGiovanniRobert DiGiovanni
2,7281316
edited 2 hours ago
answered 3 hours ago
Robert DiGiovanniRobert DiGiovanni
2,7281316
answered 3 hours ago
Robert DiGiovanniRobert DiGiovanni
2,7281316
answered 3 hours ago
Robert DiGiovanniRobert DiGiovanni
2,7281316
2,7281316
$begingroup$
+1 for last sentence
$endgroup$
– vasin1987
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
indeed. I've seen the aftermath of a very heavy storm on improperly secured commuter planes, and it wasn't pretty. That same storm would have blown an unsecured C172 right into the side of a hangar (or another aircraft). Bad enough if nobody's on board, but if you are on board it's far worse.
$endgroup$
– jwenting
7 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
+1 for last sentence
$endgroup$
– vasin1987
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
indeed. I've seen the aftermath of a very heavy storm on improperly secured commuter planes, and it wasn't pretty. That same storm would have blown an unsecured C172 right into the side of a hangar (or another aircraft). Bad enough if nobody's on board, but if you are on board it's far worse.
$endgroup$
– jwenting
7 mins ago
$begingroup$
+1 for last sentence
$endgroup$
– vasin1987
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
+1 for last sentence
$endgroup$
– vasin1987
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
indeed. I've seen the aftermath of a very heavy storm on improperly secured commuter planes, and it wasn't pretty. That same storm would have blown an unsecured C172 right into the side of a hangar (or another aircraft). Bad enough if nobody's on board, but if you are on board it's far worse.
$endgroup$
– jwenting
7 mins ago
$begingroup$
indeed. I've seen the aftermath of a very heavy storm on improperly secured commuter planes, and it wasn't pretty. That same storm would have blown an unsecured C172 right into the side of a hangar (or another aircraft). Bad enough if nobody's on board, but if you are on board it's far worse.
$endgroup$
– jwenting
7 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It can be done. Some bushplane action...
answered 3 hours ago
MikeYMikeY
71417
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It can be done. Some bushplane action...
answered 3 hours ago
MikeYMikeY
71417
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It can be done. Some bushplane action...
answered 3 hours ago
MikeYMikeY
71417
$endgroup$
It can be done. Some bushplane action...
answered 3 hours ago
MikeYMikeY
71417
answered 3 hours ago
MikeYMikeY
71417
answered 3 hours ago
MikeYMikeY
71417
answered 3 hours ago
MikeYMikeY
71417
71417
add a comment |
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
Related: Is it an acceptable practice to take off in a microburst?
$endgroup$
– Ron Beyer
3 hours ago