Ed Cesnalis Posted August 22, 2013 Report Share Posted August 22, 2013 I don't use landing flaps when I'm afraid of gusts on my tail. Wind sheer from lee side turbulence is the most dramatic and summertime light and variable is the most insidious. Light and Variable - desert winds suck My first problem is that the ASOS or AWOS is very likely going to report calm or a heading and just a few knots so I have to play detective to even figure it out. Dust devils are a good indicator but they are not always there. Wind socks that don't agree are a good clue. Soaring birds in the area and or thermals on final are more clues. Even if winds are not light and variable at Mammoth at Mid day winds tend to switch from east to west and the unpredictable conditions exist then. I do increase my speed, I use 1/2 the gust factor if I know it or a 60kt approach, keeping my nose low as long as I can and ready on the throttle. I land faster and with less flaps when 1) Light and variable winds that concern me, 2) Wind sheer in the runway enviroment, 3) Gusty crosswinds. My 'need for speed' arises whenever my margin over stall is eroded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GravityKnight Posted August 22, 2013 Report Share Posted August 22, 2013 I don't really care for variable winds! Even relatively light.. I'd rather have a stiff crosswind than fight variable winds. We get windsocks dancing in circles around here fairly often and I'm not a fan of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Meade Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 It pays to have a light touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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