Cross-wind testing
Thread Starter

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 182
Likes: 2
From: Where the test flights are
Cross-wind testing
Hello All,
Another "where" question from Leo....
If you had to perform cross-wind testing in Europe in next few weeks (days...) on a mid-size biz-jet, where would you go ?
I am taking into account general weather (hopefully good), runway length and width, runway condition (hopefully dry), support infrastructure, etc...
Thanks a lot for your inputs !
Another "where" question from Leo....
If you had to perform cross-wind testing in Europe in next few weeks (days...) on a mid-size biz-jet, where would you go ?
I am taking into account general weather (hopefully good), runway length and width, runway condition (hopefully dry), support infrastructure, etc...
Thanks a lot for your inputs !
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 348
From: UK
Stornaway, Gibraltar (with care), Isle of Man, St Mawgan (is it still there?), Belfast.
Basically, be prepared to test whenever the conditions arise.
Edit: on reflection, Gibraltar may be too gusty. We flew at IOM in gusty conditions and it was a good test of inappropriate windshear warnings.
Use Prestwick as a base and have the flexibility to cover the west of the UK; add Liverpool, Warton (PPO?), Leeds.
Basically, be prepared to test whenever the conditions arise.
Edit: on reflection, Gibraltar may be too gusty. We flew at IOM in gusty conditions and it was a good test of inappropriate windshear warnings.
Use Prestwick as a base and have the flexibility to cover the west of the UK; add Liverpool, Warton (PPO?), Leeds.

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 570
Likes: 21
From: Another Planet.
X-wind testing.
IF:
You believe Iceland to be in Europe (they are Schengen)
The volcanoes will permit
60 metre wide runways are of benefit
The weather is "Quattro Stagione" as in the pizzas, viz 4 seasons in 1 day!
Mr Boeing isn't there already playing with their latest for this very purpose
2 runways at right angles to each other, 3,000m long helps you to "manufacture" your own x-wind
Very co-operative ATC who allow the regular visitors and based aircrew to choose the runway best suited, if swept of snow and ash
Then Keflavik is perfect, swot up on MNPS procedures so you can find it properly, though it's mostly radar to radar over the wet bits.
P S The beer is expensive!!!???
You believe Iceland to be in Europe (they are Schengen)
The volcanoes will permit
60 metre wide runways are of benefit
The weather is "Quattro Stagione" as in the pizzas, viz 4 seasons in 1 day!
Mr Boeing isn't there already playing with their latest for this very purpose
2 runways at right angles to each other, 3,000m long helps you to "manufacture" your own x-wind
Very co-operative ATC who allow the regular visitors and based aircrew to choose the runway best suited, if swept of snow and ash
Then Keflavik is perfect, swot up on MNPS procedures so you can find it properly, though it's mostly radar to radar over the wet bits.
P S The beer is expensive!!!???
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Birr in Ireland, a north south runway in a country of westerly winds. I fouind the the real crosswind limits of my aircraft as opposed to the book limit.
But Ronaldsway is a good spot. Quite tricky at times. If you want to find the limits go to Ronaldsway.
But Ronaldsway is a good spot. Quite tricky at times. If you want to find the limits go to Ronaldsway.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Lancashire
Well it depends what crosswind component you are looking for and how much runway you need. If we are talking >20 kts and >7500ft, then forget it "in the next few weeks". If you want >20kts then try Keflavik about two weeks after the equinox (early April or October). Its fairly windy and has perpendicular 10,000 ft runways. Its been used by both Boeing and Airbus in recent times, so they know the ropes. Nowhere else in Europe can really offer that. If 6500 ft is good enough for you, then you could consider Prestwick as they have a second perpendicular runway of that length, and its fairly breezy.








