Wind
- Thread starter 2dextreme
- Start date
Depends on your confidence in your ability and if you are close to any hazards. I have flown on a ridge where winds were gusting around 25knots with no problems, once in the air it should be steady as a rock just need to avoid touchdown on a gust. If you were to lose GPS then it would be a lot more difficult
Oh yes talking of battery time, don't get caught out way down wind when the low battery warning goes off.
PatR
Premium Pilot
I haven't flown the H in winds higher than 30mph yet. No problem taking off, flying, and landing at 27mph-30mph but you do need to know how to deal with wind for the T/O and landing. RTH for an auto land is not a smart thing to do when winds are high. 15mph is but a light breeze to the H.
FlushVision
Premium Pilot
A 15 MPH wind isn't a problem for the H. But remember that if it's 15MPH at ground level it can easily be double that at altitude. Fortunately, the H can handle 30 MPH too (so I gather) but I've never braved that sort of wind strength. As PatR says, though, relying on RTH for landing in a strong wind would probably make you day a bad one.
My experience is that the H manages 15 mph wind and the wind-gradient that comes with that extremely well in RTH and auto-land.
I think it does a better job at that then the H-pilots that do not understand the principle of wind-gradient.
I think it does a better job at that then the H-pilots that do not understand the principle of wind-gradient.
PatR
Premium Pilot
True. Typically the greatest wind limitation for the H is the operator’s level of pilot proficiency. If they are good with the controls, and understand the effects of wind on the airframe they can do well in higher winds. If they are new or mostly dependent on automation, they will not do as well. Practice builds proficiency.
rdonson
Premium Pilot
I like using the app "UAV Forecast" on my phone. The "Conditions" feature is very helpful as a base. If you'd like to know more about the wind at various altitudes select the "Wind Profile" feature. It will provide wind speed, gust speed and temperature up to 5000 ft. Obviously we're limited to 400' unless you're a 107 pilot with clearance to exceed that.
I rely on looking outside and stepping out to taste the weather of the day.
But yes, I am professionally involved in micro-meteo for over 35 yrs.
I often think the level of meteorology knowledge requirements for a commercial UAV permission is a little over the top. With a flight time of 25 mins max and with a 500 metres limit (UK) I think I cam judge what the weather is likely to do and hit RTH if it looks like raining.
PatR
Premium Pilot
sUAS regs are not limited to multirotors, which are the most limited where flight time is concerned. The regs and training is applicable to all remotely piloted aircraft up to 55lbs, be they a helicopter, glider, airplane, gyrocopter, or anything else. There are many RC/ unmanned aircraft that have very long range and flight times. For an example I used to fly a 40lb, single engine fixed wing aircraft with a range in excess of 100 miles and a flight duration greater than 12 hours on a tank of gas. Such aircraft are being flown in the U.S. RC thermal duration gliders can fly for many hours at great altitudes and distances without benefit of a motor, and fall under sUAS regulations.
BTW, the 400’ altitude limit is only legally applicable to commercial operators, not recreational flyers. Read the regs, not internet blogs for the actual law.
BTW, the 400’ altitude limit is only legally applicable to commercial operators, not recreational flyers. Read the regs, not internet blogs for the actual law.
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PatR
Premium Pilot
Yeh.
The weather close to the ground is the most difficult stuff there is in meteorology, as far as piloting is concerned.
In Netherlands I did the paperwork and exams for UAV too, and I agree the meteo chapter is quite heavy.... maybe somewhat overdone. Passed the exams by only studying the 'jargon' (abbrivations, special words and concepts and legal limitations) tho.
Good knowledge of micrometeo (relatively close to ground level) will save you a lot of money in the end.
The weather close to the ground is the most difficult stuff there is in meteorology, as far as piloting is concerned.
In Netherlands I did the paperwork and exams for UAV too, and I agree the meteo chapter is quite heavy.... maybe somewhat overdone. Passed the exams by only studying the 'jargon' (abbrivations, special words and concepts and legal limitations) tho.
Good knowledge of micrometeo (relatively close to ground level) will save you a lot of money in the end.
Yes recreational limit is VLOS I believe, also in UK if non commercial and flying FPV with a spotter and non controlled airspace you can fly to 1000' altitude, but non commercial pilots probably haven't the meteorology training required by commercial.
I take your point about the longer range stuff, not sure what is being operated in the uk but I doubt anything to 100 miles.
rdonson
Premium Pilot
I used to fly RC sailplanes back when the earth's crust was cooling.
One of the things every beginner strove for was to get to the point where they could keep a sailplane aloft for an hour.
Check out the League of Silent Flight if that ever interests you . LSF - League of Silent Flight
One of the things every beginner strove for was to get to the point where they could keep a sailplane aloft for an hour.
Check out the League of Silent Flight if that ever interests you . LSF - League of Silent Flight
rdonson
Premium Pilot
PatR
Premium Pilot
I crashed one of those things and almost crashed another when I was a lot younger. Got lucky and didn't get badly hurt but from then on if it didn't have a fuselage, glare shield, and a cockpit I wouldn't get in it.
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