to fly or not to fly?
 

TAF 240609Z 240716 08015G25KT 9999 SCT018 PROB30 TEMPO 0709 8000

METAR 240750Z 05015KT 9999 SCT015 BKN030 12/08 Q1019

pondering whether to fly but the forecast is for winds to gust. However even at 080 and 25kt's this is a 11kt xwind on a runway orientated 05.

Would you fly in a 152 in this?

15G25 doesn't mean it's going to be 25KT all the time. An 11KT component is miles within what a 152 can cope with (20KT crosswind component is perfectly manageable with good technique), and it's certainly less than the demonstrated figure. The only question is whether it's within your limits.

The max demonstrated crosswind for a 152 is, I think, 12 knots. If you get hit with a gust of 25kt at 30 degrees of your heading, you will hit this value.

But so what ? The 12kt figure is not a legal limit (queue DFC to hurtle in claiming imaginary legal limits), and I've seen people land 152s in much greater x-winds than that. The real qustions are : (1) can YOU handle a gusty crosswind, (2) if you're hiring then are there any rules/regs which your hiring organisation may impose ?

Yes, I'd fly. But if you're even asking the question (and good for you if you're not sure) then perhaps you could get hold of an instructor for an hour and go look at landing in these conditions ?

Well I landing in a 10kt crosswind before so i think it is within my limits, however was looking at the 25kt. Most of it would be a headwind component.

Thanks for your reply

FF is right. This may be a perfect day to practice x-wind landings. If you're not sure of your own performance (and good on you to ask !!), then get an instructor or even a more experienced pilot and go flying. :ok:

Bear in mind that on the Northern hemisphere, the wind will usually veer in a gust. Depending on local circumstances, probably somewhere between 10 and 30 degrees.

The wind right now (well, at 0750Z actually) is 050/15 knots, directly down your 05 runway. Which is good of course. Predicted is 08015G25 which in reality may mean a mean wind of 080/15, with gusts going all the way up to 110/25. On your 05 runway that's possibly a 25 knot crosswind component.

On the Northern hemisphere, because of this effect, it's best to have a gusting wind from your left instead of from your right. That way a gust will veer towards a headwind instead of a crosswind.

As others have said: a perfect day to perfect your crosswind technique, with an instructor on board as safety pilot.

I'd also be considering the terrain and obstacles near the runway with regard to the wind direction. At Heathrow, a strong SW can be a handful if landing on 27R due to the effect of the large hangars (next to the green fire practice hull), however, the gusts will tend to veer more toward the runway QDM.

I just got back from aloft (Redhill). Not a problem with the wind as it was straight down the runway, but the viz was awful. Not a nice day for a gentle bimble, but maybe a good day for practising x-wind landings as you can't see much aloft anyway!

C23

...also depends on how WIDE your runway is!!

Depends on your comfort level but it's within the demonstrated Xwind component (12 Knots) so yeah.

Only if there was nothing else available :E

I pondered the same question today
 

Saw the 06015G25 which was right down the runway. Still decided against a PA28 in that simply because the air speed could vary quite wildly in it.

Went to the club and saw lots of people flying in it. Should've, could've, but then what happened if the gusts were a bit stronger and a few 10s of degrees off ? Would've been well and truly fuxored.

Could I? Yes.

Would I? Depends upon the purpose and urgency of the flight.

Should you? I don't know offhand, but if there's reasonable doubt on the matter - perhaps you shouldn't.

G

By asking this question, you must be unsure.

The answer is always NO if unsure.

At first based on the forecast I was but went down to see what the weather was doing and all ok. ....end of the day the wind didn't gust, but 19kts hence i went flying....only a marginal xwind and i gained valuable EXPERIENCE.

If i was in any doubt I wouldn't have flown, taking into account various parameters. Forecasts are just that...sometimes they are not as correct.