David-aviator
Well Known Member
Our airport favors west departures for noise abatement which is understandable, no sense irritating people unnecessarily.
But departures do not get switched to east unless wind exceeds a certain tail wind factor. Whatever it is, it's more than 5 knots.
Yesterday it was landing with reported 5 knots direct out of east. It does make a difference especially with tail wheel in that it takes longer to slow down once on surface and requires full time attention keeping it straight. Tail is on at 10 knots higher ground speed than landing with 5 knot headwind.
But it all worked out ok, one more time.
As the time line of learning tail wheel ops goes, first 50 hours are dangerous, next 50 a little less dangerous, next 50 somewhat under control, next 50 under control and can handle most anything (within reason of course).
I sure enjoy flying the RV-8. Patrolled Missouri River out past Herman yesterday, only enemy activity was one lone turkey buzzard who did not know to dive or climb as he went by a couple hundred feet away. It was close enough to get my attention, I wish they had ADS-B.
But departures do not get switched to east unless wind exceeds a certain tail wind factor. Whatever it is, it's more than 5 knots.
Yesterday it was landing with reported 5 knots direct out of east. It does make a difference especially with tail wheel in that it takes longer to slow down once on surface and requires full time attention keeping it straight. Tail is on at 10 knots higher ground speed than landing with 5 knot headwind.
But it all worked out ok, one more time.
As the time line of learning tail wheel ops goes, first 50 hours are dangerous, next 50 a little less dangerous, next 50 somewhat under control, next 50 under control and can handle most anything (within reason of course).
I sure enjoy flying the RV-8. Patrolled Missouri River out past Herman yesterday, only enemy activity was one lone turkey buzzard who did not know to dive or climb as he went by a couple hundred feet away. It was close enough to get my attention, I wish they had ADS-B.