According to AOPA’s Nall Report, nearly 40% of fixed-gear, single-engine accidents occur during landings. And in the majority of those accidents, wind plays a role.
Spring Equals More Wind
Across a significant portion of the US, it is the windiest time of the year. This is because as the jet stream begins to move north during spring, it brings along numerous competing high and low pressure systems. When there are strong pressure systems (along with pressure gradients), a great deal of wind is generated.
Carrying extra airspeed during the final approach and flying at a speed that exceeds what is recommended by the manufacturer for your weight typically makes landing more challenging. However, on a windy and gusty day, people do just that. Here’s the reason why.
Why Fly Faster?
Wind gusts can be variable and unpredictable, and these are two things that you definitely do not want to deal with when landing.
When flying on a gusty day, you know that your airspeed indicator can experience quite wild fluctuations. And when you are experiencing turbulence in the pattern, it is better to be a bit on the fast side rather than too slow.
The reason is straightforward: if you are slightly above or below the required airspeed during the final approach, a sudden loss of headwind from a gust could bring you closer to the stall speed than you would like. And if you are like us, that is a situation that you would rather avoid.
So what is the solution? Add some speed. Here is what the FAA recommends.
How Much Faster Should You Go?
When dealing with a gusty day, the FAA suggests that you add half the gust factor to your final approach speed.
For example, if the winds are reported at 18 knots with gusts of 30 knots, the gust factor is 12 knots (30 minus 18 equals 12). So if you take half the gust factor, it becomes 6 knots (12 divided by 2 equals 6).
Yes, it is mathematics, but it is really simple mathematics that you can perform in the airplane.
Let’s say that you usually fly at 80 knots during the final approach. On a day with a 12 knot gust factor, you will add 6 knots to the published 80 knots, resulting in a final approach speed of 86 knots.
What About Flaps?
So what about the flaps? Should you fully lower them on a gusty day? According to the FAA, not necessarily.
When landing with less than full flaps, you have two advantages. Firstly, your plane will have a higher pitch attitude, which requires less pitch change as you transition from the final approach to touchdown.
Secondly, you will land at a higher airspeed, giving you more control over the plane throughout the touchdown process. However, it is important to note that more speed is not always better. Flying at an excessive final approach speed (more than half the gust factor) can cause you to float and miss your landing point.
Stick to half the gust factor for your airspeed, and your landing will be exactly where you want it: on target with minimal float.
Flying a Faster Final Approach
By adding half the gust factor to your final approach speed, you can land on windy days with the same confidence as on calm days. At the same time, you will give yourself a safety margin against an unexpected loss of airspeed during the final approach.
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