Blustery Landings

[Keith]

This is a video I made a few weeks ago and just got chance to post it. Just a couple of landings on a blustery fall day. The approaches were all hand flown. Best if viewed on Youtube at 480p.

Enjoy and have a great weekend everyone!



EDIT: Also I posted this one a couple of weeks back. Just testing my crosswind skills in gale force conditions.

[Dan]

Very nice, Keith!

You make it look easy . . .

Dan

…it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D

[Keith]

Thanks Dan.

[beana51]

Truly a TWO BAGGER OF POP CORN MOVIE!!.......X Wind ,and proper slipping tecneques...the nightmare of tail Dragging Pilots!!.....Keith!!......This is great Work!,,,Thanx Much..Vin!!

[Keith]

Vin, I learned a technique called "drifting" from my friend who owns the flight school. He is a retired commercial pilot from the pre-FMS days, although in his last few years he was required to use the FMS. It's not really used any longer in commercial aviation due to the widespread use of FMS and computer aided approaches, but the idea behind it is to line up the aircraft upwind and as the airspeed drops off just allow the plane to "drift" back to where it should have been in the first place. It is not a science per se, but it was used for many many years by the old timers. It allows you to drift in and then only have to crab or slip at the last minute. It makes for a much more comfortable landing for passengers. Yes, the good old days when passenger comfort mattered to the airlines. Impossible to do today in commercial aviation though with all the computer aided approaches. I use it though in real-world flying very often.

Once I was landing the B200 with a stiff and direct 24knot crosswind (with much higher gusts) and the tower kept telling me my heading was off. At 3 miles out I was actually pointing the plane about 1/8th mile to far north. At 1/4 mile out I allowed the plane to "drift" in and made the landing with minimal crabbing. I was not flying IFR at the time so I could do it but it had the young guy in the tower baffled until a much older controller explained it to him. Sometimes the things we learn are in books... and sometimes not... I like the stuff that is learned from someones long-time life experiences the best.

[beana51]

Thanx Keith......yes X-winds ,Crabbin, drifting,as we all know a CUB was the teacher for good skills needed in this...as it effects all planes ,including the 747s......Body english,sweaty palms,or knocking ones knees won"t do it...but rather a solid rap on ones head,with rolled us sectional...by an instructor.Coulped with the reassuring double chirp,as rubber hits the runway...grass far more forgiving of course!! !!.When ever I think I got it made...any afternoon, at the beach watching Pelicans,and seagulls,make me feel so inferior.....

[Keith]

Very true Vin. All they have to do is spread their wings and let nature do the rest.

[AirCoaster]

You always have such great videos Keith. I love your work. I bet your yoke was all over the place on that second video.