Had some papers to get done, overwhelmed. CY said, Let’s go fly. We stopped and got a bite to eat and as we were driving to airport, it looked like rain was on the way.
I’ve got 30 minutes, don’t I.
CY: Oh sure.
He sent me up on my own in a tail dragger.
As I was taxiing out, I checked the AWOS. 12 knot crosswinds gusting to 19!
Didn’t feel like the wind was that strong. I checked the windsock – straight down the crosswind runway.
I contemplated taking off on that runway but opted to take off on the big runway with a crosswind for the practice. If I even approached trouble, I’d re-think.
I took off – didn’t notice a crosswind really.
Then I looked. I was just naturally crabbing to be flying straight.
As I got across from the numbers on downwind, I wondered if I should just land on the crosswind runway.
I reasoned – I need crosswind practice. If I feel I’m getting to close to beyond my ability, I’ll just go around and land on crosswind runway.
I put in one notch of flaps. I kept feeling slight down drafts so I had to put in some power – always a bit touchy as to too little or too much.
As I was settling down for landing, I was ballooned up. I put on a little power to sort myself out. And then floated. And floated. I slowly settled and took off the power.
Reacted with ailerons. Feet kept working but it wasn’t too worrisome.
I came to a stop-ish and powered up and took off again.
I had to keep looking at the ball – I don’t always feel the skid.
I came around again. Checked the AWOS. Winds just at 12 knots (really?). No gusts.
Same experience – some down drafts so a bit of power.
Landed, felt the wind try to push sort of, used ailerons, all calm. I noticed I started going a little toward the side of the runway. Ready to put in power if needed, I pressed on the left rudder. I was slow enough and down enough….that it was enough. I didn’t need any power.
Took off again. Figured once more. The clouds were still not getting angry.
Had to crab again to stay straight on take off, and before turning crosswind.
I listened to AWOS on downwind. 15 knots.
Hmm.
Crosswind runway – straight down it…..
I still need crosswind practice so I’ll go as far as I’m comfortable.
I put in one notch of flaps.
A little power – was getting a bit more precise so not too much for the down drafts.
I flared, kept it flying until I touched down on all three tires.
It still felt as though I wasn’t down completely. Weird.
I kept the ailerons subtlely active as well as my feet. And as I held course on the ground now ahead of the curve, consciously tried to figure out what was going on.
Stopped before the exit and exited.
I thought about another t/o and landing…..I was doing well….and decided time to go in.
CY had told me how to fly crosswind, and shown me by flying some serious crosswinds (not intentionally just happened) and I did it: that’s what I did so the crosswind was not as frightening or even barely noticeable…..and, of course, it worked:
CY’s advice: Don’t worry about the AWOS or windsock, that’s yesterday’s news – just fly your airplane.
And I did. And had a great time!
c. GCYI