Eblo

Crosswinds are FUN!

Ok, I was originally going to title this update, "X-winds AGAIN!?!" But since I had so much fun, I opted for a more positive title.

A brief recap - I had my first two solos the last week in October, and then weather and scheduling haven't cooperated again since. My last three flights in the pattern have been working on crosswinds. The first one was really sketchy, and the next was slightly better but not really coming together completely. Despite fog in the morning and borderline visibility due to haze, I was able to squeeze in an hour yesterday - again in crosswinds.

A while ago, my CFI said he actually enjoyed x-winds more than straight-on landings - more fun, more challenge. Well yesterday, with about 10kt, 90deg. winds, it all clicked and I knew exactly what he was talking about. The elevator ride from the slip, the rudder-pressure release with the flair, upwind wheel touching down, then the downwind wheel, then the nosewheel, dump the flaps. . . . It was a thing of beauty.

4-5 greasers, the remaining 3-4 (8 total) were 'great' by definition that the plane was reusable. And on the ones I didn't grease, I knew what I did wrong and adjusted on the next one. I also really REALLY learned about flying the plane all the way in. I know I've SAID it before, but riding along on one (main) wheel and knowing that's perfectly fine - that drove the point home.

I was able to do 4 each way (left and right x). Due to some tree-line induced turblence, the ones down 24 are trickier, but if you just ride through the bumps, it all comes out OK.

So it was a good, fun, confidence-building lesson.

I got rained out today. Crossing my fingers for tomorrow.