Maximum Crosswind

[MikeB]

As a point of discussion, what's the maximum (say 90 degrees) crosswind you're 'relatively' comfortable in a Champ or Chief? In my case, I'd say maybe 10-12 on pavement and 15-20 on grass. I usually crab in as far as I can, then 3 point it with the wing down and nose straight. I'll accept a little more on grass as it's more forgiving if winds are gusting.

I have about 1000 hours (most Cherokee ) and around 300 tailwheel.

MikeB

[Mikek]

As a point of discussion, what's the maximum (say 90 degrees) crosswind you're 'relatively' comfortable in ----.
I have about 1000 hours (most Cherokee ) and around 300 tailwheel.

MikeB

About the same: Comfortable

10-15 mph hard surface
20-25 mph Grass

Home 3OH0 grass & hard 2000 ft.

8000 hrs 2500 tail wheel but time is not a good gauge in the amount of XC wind. I have done many in 30 plus but that was with 100 hr TW now with 2500 I lower my Comfortable alot!

[Dan1940Chief]

Interesting -- I have around 20 in my Chief right now and while I'm fine in 10 knots direct crosswind on grass, pavement still eats my lunch.

And I'm currently based at a Class D (KMGW) field with only pavement.

That will change in January when I head over to KWAY with a parallel short grass strip.

[Roger Anderson]

Ten on pavement is plenty. I don't have any local grass to fly off of so don't know about that.

[joea]

Ten on pavement is plenty. I don't have any local grass to fly off of so don't know about that.

Same here. If its more than that I just do not need to fly. Or will find another airport with a runway more into the wind.

[Dan1940Chief]

While we're on this topic -- what allowances/limitations will you place on grass runways?

Frozen turf OK?
Wet/ Dew Covered turf?

[L3CFI]

In my Citabria, I have no issues w/ 20kts on pavement. I my L-3...anything over 10 gets exciting. Its down for its annual now and a thorough inspection of the tailwheel will be made to ensure that its steering properly.

[Sgt. NCSHP]

I've only got about 100hrs in the Champ and if its 10 or greater I just wait til another day. I fly for fun and if its gonna be bumpy and difficult landings I just wait

[Dusty]

I've landed with a high-30-something direct crosswind on gravel, mostly just to see if I could. You run out of rudder before aileron, and have to choose between landing faster (then what?) or landing a little sideways. Sideways works just fine, at least on big tires and with decent brakes. Turning around is another matter.

I've also landed on an asphalt runway which was directly perpendicular to a high-30s wind....

Gusts are the critical factor. If I can't deal with a crosswind, I can land into it in an airplane length or so, as long as it's smooth. If it's gusting, you have to fly the lows and all that goes all to hell - maybe you'll get lucky and fall out of the sky where you want to be, maybe you'll catch a gust and be indicating 60 where you thought you were going to land. I LOVE flying in 30 knots out west. I can land ANYWHERE, and take off just as short. It's great fun. I HATE flying in 20KT in Interior, where everything is gusting, swirling, and burbling over trees and rocks. Landings are always surprising, one way or another, even if you can get a "direct" headwind.

Short version: It depends where you are.

[Dan1940Chief]

I've landed with a high-30-something direct crosswind on gravel, mostly just to see if I could. You run out of rudder before aileron, and have to choose between landing faster (then what?) or landing a little sideways. Sideways works just fine, at least on big tires and with decent brakes. Turning around is another matter.

I've also landed on an asphalt runway which was directly perpendicular to a high-30s wind....

Gusts are the critical factor. If I can't deal with a crosswind, I can land into it in an airplane length or so, as long as it's smooth. If it's gusting, you have to fly the lows and all that goes all to hell - maybe you'll get lucky and fall out of the sky where you want to be, maybe you'll catch a gust and be indicating 60 where you thought you were going to land. I LOVE flying in 30 knots out west. I can land ANYWHERE, and take off just as short. It's great fun. I HATE flying in 20KT in Interior, where everything is gusting, swirling, and burbling over trees and rocks. Landings are always surprising, one way or another, even if you can get a "direct" headwind.

Short version: It depends where you are.

..and what you're flying. Do you have oversized tires?

[Dusty]

..and what you're flying. Do you have oversized tires?

Oversized? I think they're just right! They are 31" Bushwheels.

[Clive]

I usually crab in as far as I can, then 3 point it with the wing down....
MikeB

Wouldn't that be "two point"? ...Tailwheel and one main?

I'm often amazed at the crosswind that my Pre-war can handle. It has plenty of authority with those big ailerons. Our single grass strip quite often has stiff crosswinds so I've got used to it.

[Dan1940Chief]

I'm often amazed at the crosswind that my Pre-war can handle. It has plenty of authority with those big ailerons. Our single grass strip quite often has stiff crosswinds so I've got used to it.

Which pre-war?

In my second hour of tailwheel endorsement training the winds were 90 degrees to the right at 8 knots. Grass landings were no problem as the tiny drift was accommodated by the forgiving turf.

Not so with pavement.

[Clive]

Which pre-war?

In my second hour of tailwheel endorsement training the winds were 90 degrees to the right at 8 knots. Grass landings were no problem as the tiny drift was accommodated by the forgiving turf.

Not so with pavement.

The Chief in my signature.

I meant handling crosswinds on grass. I always use the grass if there's a choice.

The Chief has its gear located well forward compared to many other tailwheel aircraft which puts the C of G further behind the mains, and I guess causes the squirrelly effect when landing in a crosswind on pavement. Grass allows a skid factor.

Compare the Chief gear to a modern design like a Murphy Rebel, which has the gear well back. But a Rebel will nose over rather easily, a Chief won't.

[Dan1940Chief]

The Chief in my signature.

I meant handling crosswinds on grass. I always use the grass if there's a choice.

The Chief has its gear located well forward compared to many other tailwheel aircraft which puts the C of G further behind the mains, and I guess causes the squirrelly effect when landing in a crosswind on pavement. Grass allows a skid factor.

Compare the Chief gear to a modern design like a Murphy Rebel, which has the gear well back. But a Rebel will nose over rather easily, a Chief won't.

That's a gorgeous bird! My 65-LA is not quite as aesthetically polished -- yet!

The gear placement certainly adds to the challenge of crosswind lndings. I'm moving the KWAY the end of this month mainly because there is a single parallel grass strip next to the paved runway.