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Old 23rd January 2007 | 19:45
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FlyingForFun

Why do it if it's not fun?
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,782
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From: Bournemouth
Pick a different school? - there are those who will say "yes, we know the forecast says G27, but it hasn't done that all morning so off you go".
Been there, done that. I remember it well.

One day last winter, the wind was forecast at something like 180/20G30, and the closest runway to that was runway 13. But the wind had been more like 150 all day, and had never gone above 15-20 knots.

Last lesson for the day was a night flight - my student's first night flight, in fact. I briefed him for the entire flight, and at the end of the briefing I explained that I'd let him have a go at the landing, and explained the essential points, but since landings weren't the main objective of the lesson we weren't going to spend any time looking at it in detail.

The weather was perfect for the flight - a clear, moonless night, perfectly smooth. We did everything we needed to do, then headed back home. Imagine our surpise(!) when ATC told us the wind was 180/25G35!

I remember, very clearly, turning to my student and saying "Do you fancy giving it a go?" He looked back at me and "I think I'll leave this one to you." Damn! At the time, that was the most cross-wind I'd ever landing in, in any aircraft. But it certainly concentrates the mind - I managed an absolute greaser, although it was a bit further down the runway than I'd have liked!

You never can tell.....

FFF
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