jetcareers - View Single Post - 18kt crosswind component on a 3800' runway pushing it?

MidlifeFlyer · September 23rd, 2003, 17:58

[ QUOTE ]
It is not always a question of skill. The test pilots are quite skilled.

[/ QUOTE ] We're on different pages on this. With your repeated use of "skilled" "test pilots", it seem you are assuming that all this skill was being tested, that 15 knots was in fact the highest crosswind they landed in, and that Cessna had an interest in find a high number as a selling point.

I have a slightly different view of the process.

I think that Cessna's test pilots landed the airplane in much, much higher crosswinds than 15 KTS while testing the airplane. Then, based on the reports of the handling of the airplane in various wind conditions and configurations, Cessna decided on a number to publish that was high enough to be useful but low enough to avoid liability problems.

BTW, I am not suggesting that folks go out and jump in their 172s and go looking for 20-Kt crosswinds. Most of the pilots I've seen would have trouble with a xwind component more than 10-12 kts. But landing in an 18 KT xwind in a 172 hardly qualifies for test pilot status.

September 23rd, 2003, 17:58	#15
MidlifeFlyer Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: Denver Colorado Posts: 3,101	Re: 18kt crosswind component on a 3800\' runway pushing it? [ QUOTE ] It is not always a question of skill. The test pilots are quite skilled. [/ QUOTE ] We're on different pages on this. With your repeated use of "skilled" "test pilots", it seem you are assuming that all this skill was being tested, that 15 knots was in fact the highest crosswind they landed in, and that Cessna had an interest in find a high number as a selling point. I have a slightly different view of the process. I think that Cessna's test pilots landed the airplane in much, much higher crosswinds than 15 KTS while testing the airplane. Then, based on the reports of the handling of the airplane in various wind conditions and configurations, Cessna decided on a number to publish that was high enough to be useful but low enough to avoid liability problems. BTW, I am not suggesting that folks go out and jump in their 172s and go looking for 20-Kt crosswinds. Most of the pilots I've seen would have trouble with a xwind component more than 10-12 kts. But landing in an 18 KT xwind in a 172 hardly qualifies for test pilot status.