Crosswind Flaps
Hi all, been away from the forum for a while, actually flying!
I have searched for threads on this, which i thought would be a hot topic here but all i can find is biz jet techniques,.. a little outside of my price range!
I was flying a nice 172N on the weekend in slight crosswind that stiffened as i continued my familiarisation circuits (hadn't flown the 172 in a while).
Now i must be out of practice in crosswinds because i made a few what can be described as alarming landings. At first i thought it was the extra speed on the aproach so i slowed to 65 KIAS this helped some what but the touch downs were still very hard and my directional control was still hopeless.
I'm using the sideslip trick i was taught nose into wind kick straight at the flare, into wind wing down, that wheel to touch first.
I'm wondering if it was my use of 20-30 deg flap on the approach???
I tried a flapless as i do practice these every now and then and that approach was better and the roll out much more straight.
What i found i was having trouble was is the touchdown, it was always fairly 'positive' (the flare being nearly forgotten keeping the right wing down) and i had a real job keeping the aircraft on the center line, or infact vaguely in the middle... i got pretty close to the edge on one circuit and a dab of right brake brought the nose down alarmingly, so much so i was worried about a prop strike.
I was using RWY 16 wind was 20-30 deg off the nose and not more than 10-15 knts which to my mind is a xwind of 6ish knots.
Any advice is helpful especially on the use of partial or full approach flap.
Yes i have booked to go out next weekend with an instructor. i think i need it.