Things I learned today

[UngaWunga]

I haven't done many XC flights recently, but flew the 172 down to VA friday and back today.

When you get 140kts over the ground, you know you're going to have to pay for it somehow. Did when I reached the MA boarder and the seat belt stretchers started. Got to the home base, and decided to fly the pattern to see when the winds were really like. The reporting station is 10 miles away and a few more miles inland, so the weather can be complete different. And it was today. Got down the 400' on final and it was full throttle and full deflection of rudder and ailerons to stay upright. Went somewhere else to land and wait for it to die down for a bit.

So when they predict turbulence, they're pretty good at it by now. When your relatives take forever to get rolling in the morning to drop you off at the airport, you know you're not going to get in before the winds pick up.

140kts ground speed is awesome is a 172. I now want a faster plane. Actually going somewhere at that rate with that fuel burn would be very nice.

22kts direct crosswind I can manage (the plane is reusable). 30kts crosswind... yeah no. That was just stupid to even try that landing.

I really need to compare my notes on altitude, rpm settings, etc. to the book settings to see if I'm getting better/worse than the book for fuel burn. But I've had a few drinks and that can wait until morning.

Seatbelt stretchers are annoying after a few minutes. Holy **** is it difficult to hold alt when you get random 400'/min rise/descents due to turbulence. I imagine autopilots can't manage that just by trim alone. But man, autopilot would be nice when spending 4+ hours in a plane hand flying.

We should boycott airports that charge $2-3/more per gallon for 100LL that normal airports. Don't reward bad behavior.

Anyone else get that adrenaline buzz after flying in big (for me) weather? Went for a run when I got home to burn it off. Hasn't worked yet... Beer to the rescue.

 

[RyanB]

Sounds like you've had quite an eventful day.

If you're getting 140kts GS in a 172, you might as well bag it for the day when you reach your destination. You won't be going anywhere trying to fly back the opposite direction.

 

[UngaWunga]

140 was on the way home today. I knew I was going to pay for it when I got there, but the ride was pretty sweet before the turbulence.

 

[Zeldman]

Anyone else get that adrenaline buzz after flying in big (for me) weather? Went for a run when I got home to burn it off. Hasn't worked yet... Beer to the rescue.

Yeah, after an approach at night to minimums with a severe crosswind and ice accumulating over the heated windshield will get me a little excited.

 

[Bill]

140kts ground speed is awesome is a 172. I now want a faster plane. Actually going somewhere at that rate with that fuel burn would be very nice.

22kts direct crosswind I can manage (the plane is reusable). 30kts crosswind... yeah no. That was just stupid to even try that landing.

IIRC, you don't have kids, right? Mooney C, or better yet, E, would get you those speeds at 8-10gph. The biggest xwind I've done in the 201 was a direct 19G26, and in hindsight I probably shouldn't have done it even though I did stick the landing.

 

[JCranford]

30kts crosswind... yeah no. That was just stupid to even try that landing.

Yeah, it was

 

[MAKG1]

FYI, you'll hand-fly better in turbulence than you can with an autopilot. Why? First, you can keep it coordinated. The autopilot will not handle the rudder. Second, holding altitude is a mistake, as it can generate large airspeed excursions in either direction. Hold ATTITUDE, and ride it. Of course that second problem is only an issue for two axis autopilots.

I find I can routinely outfly a KAP140 or virtually any STEC. A GFC700 is a wash unless the turbulence is really nasty.

 

[UngaWunga]

Yeah, it was

Thanks for your 20/20 hindsight.

Another skill I picked up was the ability to fly in moderate chop, talk to ATC, and take a leak into a nalgene container at the same time.

 

[JCranford]

Thanks for your 20/20 hindsight.

Another skill I picked up was the ability to fly in moderate chop, talk to ATC, and take a leak into a nalgene container at the same time.

Now THATS some useful skillz!

 

[denverpilot]

Thanks for your 20/20 hindsight.

Another skill I picked up was the ability to fly in moderate chop, talk to ATC, and take a leak into a nalgene container at the same time.

One good bump and a splash, and you're now having a bad day. Haha.

 

[jordane93]

Too much work today....

 

[Timbeck2]

Good post. Always good to know I'm not the only one bouncing around these days.

 

[Hank S]

IIRC, you don't have kids, right? Mooney C, or better yet, E, would get you those speeds at 8-10gph. The biggest xwind I've done in the 201 was a direct 19G26, and in hindsight I probably shouldn't have done it even though I did stick the landing.

He's right. My M20-C is good for 145-148 KTAS on 9 gph. Even better, for the same trip, I burn 10% less fuel than my friends in Skyhawks . . . .

Ain't it fun to fly fast (er)???

 

[Tantalum]

You won't be going anywhere trying to fly back the opposite direction.

Yeah I learned that the hard way when I saw a groundspeed of 155 knots in the 172 a few weeks ago.Tried a a few different altitudes on the way home but was stuck 75-85 knots over the ground. Oh well, at least it added more XC time to the logbook!