12/26/09 Wind Plus Turbulence Can Equal Fun

Finally, after more than a month and a half, I was able to get some time in the air.

Originally I'd planned a trip with Dad and Matti over to Tillamook (TMK) for lunch, then down the coast to Newport (ONP) and back. Unfortunately the wind was kicking up past what I was comfortable with.

I'd seen that my instructor was scheduled to be out at the airport, and decided that maybe it would be a better day to practice some crosswind landings. Hillsboro (HIO), about 5 mi north of Twin Oaks, was reporting Northeast winds of 18 with gusts to 24.

Matti was still up for some flying, even if it was just around the pattern, so off we went.

We readied the plane, met up with my instructor, and taxied out for 02. Up to this point, I've not flown when the wind has been strong enough, or from the right direction, to take off uphill on 02. Something new right off.

We were really bounced around as we climbed out and turned crosswind, and took allot of work to make the plane go where I wanted it to.

The first landing was not too bad, considering. My instructor didn't need to touch the controls, and made no grunts of disapproval.

The next three times around were progressively better, and with some new found confidence with cross-wind and gusty conditions, my instructor hopped out.

Matti and I still had an hour remaining to fly, so we departed Twin Oaks and turned east.

After climbing through 2500ft the air began to really smooth out, and enjoyed the view, although a little hazy, of many of the Cascade mountains in the distance.

We decided to make a landing at Mulino (4S9), and began our descent after passing over Aurora (UAO).

At first the wind appeared to favor entering a 45 degree leg for left downwind runway 32, but an aircraft on downwind for 32 announced that the wind had shifted, and he was going to make a right 180 to enter a right downwind for 14. A 360 degree right turn allowed spacing for the other aircraft, and as well as setting us to enter right downwind for 14.

The wind was nearly non-existent at Mulino, making for an easy approach and landing.

We taxied back, departed, and turned north towards Gladstone and our neighborhood.

The smooth air we'd had above 2500ft suddenly turned quite turbulent, requiring us to slow down considerably, and we turned west to return to Twin Oaks.

As expected, the pattern at Twin Oaks was more than a little bumpy, and final required quite a bit of footwork on the rudder, as well as many power setting changes, as the wind continually gusted and changed direction.

I felt very satisfied with landing number 6 for the day, and it had turned out to be just the day I needed to feel proficient with crosswinds again.

Now I need to become night proficient again.