It’s that time of year again – gusty and variable winds every afternoon. Welcome to Spring!
Not much else makes a pilot as nervous as when they see the windsock extended fully and pointed perpendicular to the runway. When is the last time you did pattern work with a direct crosswind of 10 gusting 15 or more? If you are not feeling as proficient as you should be, it’s time to grab your instructor and go look for some crosswind. Tackle it and make it a fun hour or two of recurrent training.
Do you remember this diagram from Private Pilot training? Proper taxi technique is essential in crosswind conditions. Remember to ‘fly the airplane’ until it is tied down!
Brush up on your strategy by reading this great AOPA article on crosswind training. Then, if you’re a Bay Area pilot, give me a call and we’ll go flying.
Cheers! -Greg www.gregwest.com