Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow them to soar magnificently through it.

Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips. Remember... when it comes to being good pilots, we're all in this together.

Aero-Tips 02.09.06

Aircraft performance is greatly enhanced when taking off and landing as directly into the wind as possible. Crosswinds, also, are a factor in a large number of lightplane accidents. Typically you’ll find one or more of three methods to visually determine surface wind direction.

The wind sock is most common. A conical tube mounted to freely swing around a pole and thus indicate wind direction, the small end of the wind sock points away from the wind (don’t laugh -- have you never read the 'sock "backward"?) The wind sock may reveal wind characteristics as well -- commonly produced wind socks hang straight out when the wind exceeds about 15 knots, hang about halfway extended at 5 to 15 knots, and are pretty much limp at less than five knots. Gusty or variable winds will be obvious with a wind sock.

A wind tee is weighted to pivot with the "t" section upwind. It looks a bit like an airplane pointed into the wind (unless you fly a VariEze). "Very" variable winds may swing the wind tee, although it’s heavy enough that some gusts may not move it. The 'tee provides no indication of wind speed.  

A wind tetrahedron also pivots to point into the wind. Heavier than a wind tee, it takes a stronger wind to move-so gusts or wind variations may go unnoted, and a light wind may not be enough to swing the tetrahedron around. 

Some airports manually adjust a wind tee or tetrahedron to show the "preferred runway," even if winds suggest another runway be used. Always back up wind tee or tetrahedron information with a look at the wind sock, a flag, or other surface wind indicator. 

Aero-tip of the day: Recognize surface wind indicators, and their limitations.

FMI: Aero-Tips