MY FRIEND THE WIND

How many times have I heard members exclaim!!
Don't know about flying today........ It's a bit windy !!!!!!! Learn to read                 
the conditions and harness the power of the Wind, you will be surprised to
find  that rather than it being the foe many fear .............. it can be your
friend.

The real killer is turbulence cause by wind blowing over trees, bushes,
hedges, buildings and other obstacles. Another source of turbulence can be
found on a very hot day giving rise to strong thermals even at very low
levels.  

Providing of course, it's not blowing a howling gale, a steady wind on a good
level field without obstacles, will greatly assist take off and landing.

WIND STRENGTH

The first thing to do when one arrives at the flying site, on a windy day, is
to assess the wind strength and direction. Wind strength, will invariably
determine where you will be flying your model safely, in relation to the
field / flight line and is very important in order to determine the height
and distance when judging your final approach for landing.
As far as possible always fly well into wind, create as much space as
possible between you and your model before turning down wind. Never ever fly
too far down wind. As general rule of thumb, your model  must never be flown
so far down wind that you can't bring it back safely, should it suffer an
engine failure / dead stick. Turns should be made into wind as far as
possible, in order that you keep the model reasonably and safely close to
you. Turning away down wind is risky, in so far as, that the model will
travel a few hundred feet more then you expect and you may loose the model
altogether.

You will notice that on a windy day your model will fly much slower into
wind, even at full throttle (ground speed is slow but air speed is high) and
speed up dramatically as soon as you turn downwind without any throttle at
all. When flying down wind do not pull back on the elevator to try and slow
the model down, (ground speed is high but air speed may be low) as this will
result in your model being flown very near the stall, a turn will be very
difficult to execute and you may loose control of your model.

WIND DIRECTION
 
The take off and landing is determined by wind direction. (take off and land
always into wind) Consider any obstacles such as trees, boundaries, etc. What
affect turbulence may have on your model, if take off and landings are made
in the direction of trees and such obstacles. Consider the space you have
available on that particular day and ask yourself. Am I good / confident
enough to tackle the conditions, and or, take off and land on a particular
direction you may not be familiar with.

TAKING OFF

When taking off, you will find that your model climbs much better/steeper
into a good wind, and that your ground roll will be much shorter than normal
and slower. The reason for this is simple, it's because you start off with a
good amount of airflow over the wings, creating some lift, even before your
model starts moving.
Say your model takes off comfortably at 30 mph, with a good 15 mph headwind,
your model will take off, at a ground speed of 15 mph, the climb rate will be
far greater for the distance it travels on a day with no wind.
Keep a steady climb rate to a safe height well into wind. Never be tempted to
turn too soon and low down wind, as this may spell disaster.

LANDING

Landing into a good steady headwind will assist your model considerably,
insofar as approach, ground speed, and roll out are concerned.
A higher, closer, and slightly steeper approach will almost certainly be
necessary. This, has it's advantages. Because the approach is higher, your
model will be well clear of the dreaded hedges around the field and or other
obstacles that sometimes seem too close for comfort in normal conditions.
Overshooting is far less likely, and excess speed on approach is much better
dealt with. You will notice, when you come into ground affect, and start to
flair, the airspeed bleeds off rapidly, your model almost stops as it comes
into contact with the ground, for a perfect landing. 

Even in calm windless condition I never advocate a long flat approach into
the field (as the old adage says, never low and slow) this exposes your model
to a far greater degree of risk. A good glide approach, and control of
airspeed is the key to a good landing.

Flying in the wind can be fun, and you will be amazed what you can do with a
model plane, if you understand how it will behave in certain conditions.
Hovering, kiting steep departures and approaches are great fun to practice.
But beware that not all model are suitable to flying in such conditions.

Tony Madrugo
CFI North London Flyers