I was based at LBA for five years during the 1980s flying the Fokker F27 Friendship (without doubt, the most dreadful aircraft I flew in my career). I am also an experienced glider pilot.
Leeds suffers from mountain wave effect and the associated rotors. It can be an absolute bast*rd when the conditions favour wave - as was the case on Friday 25th. I managed well enough although did flat spot a pair of tyres on one occasion when pressing hard on the brakes on one side to keep the thing straight after touchdown. The Friendship had pneumatic brakes, so there was always a slight lag between pressing the pedal and the result - it was easy to get out of phase!
After the Friendship, the BAe146 which I flew for the final nine years was a real joy in crosswinds and I used to positively look forward to a gusty day.
Jack Harrison (retired since 1998)