Heavy winds?

[LcSummers]

Hi folks,

 

 

about winds, what is light, what are heavy winds in M/S (meter per second if i am right)?

 

I want to know it when ATAC is informing me about winds, what they are correctly meaning.

 

Thanks

[Eddie]

1 M/S = ~1.94 Knots. So you can work it out from there.

[towsim]

Winds

 

Hi,

Under normal circumstances ATC does not use the terms light or heavy for measureable winds. It would not make sense because a light wind for a B747 has a total different meaning to a C172. What you get from ATC (real world):

Wind calm

The wind speed is below 3 kts and no fact for the aircraft.

Example: Wind calm.

variable at [n] kts

The direction is constantly changing ant the given low average speed.

Example: Wind variable at five.

[direction degrees] at [n] kts

Almost constant winds at given direction and speed. In Europe you may even get the clock reference for fixed wing aircraft like "wind ten O' clock at five" . The pilot has to calculate the effects to his aircraft.

Example: wind two five zero at eight

[direction degrees] at [n] kts, gusts [x] kts.

Usually a strong wind coming from the given direction with peaks in speed at [x] kts. The wind speed is changing rapidly. The pilot has to add the speed of the gusts to the desired approach speed.

Example: Wind one seven zero at ten, gusts twenty

left/right crosswind at [n] kts

This term is used if a wind comes almost perpendicular to the runway direction and is therefore a direct crosswind. If the wind comes with a remarkable strength from a direction between the runway direction and the perpendicular direction, the controller has to consult a crosswind table which gives the resulting speed vector for a perpendicular measurement. The pilot has to decide whether it is acceptable for his type of aircraft.

Example: Left crosswind at seven

or: Wind one five zero at fifteen, left crosswind component at seven

Tail wind at [n] kts

The wind comes from the rear. The pilot has to expect a higher ground speed on touchdown than normal.

Example: Tailwind at five

expect Shear winds at [distance] [cardinal direction]

A shear wind cell has to be expected at the given position. In this seldom case the controller could use the term light, moderate or havy. A similar phraseology is used for micro burst cells. This information is given additionally.

Example: expect heavy shear winds five miles to the North North West

 

Regards

Mike

[effte]

If I understand the question correctly, you're asking what would be considered heavy winds?

 

The answer is, of course, it depends. Mainly on aircraft, and on the wind direction. A steady wind blowing down the runway can get up to quite hight wind speeds before it is an issue. A gusting wind, or a crosswind, or a gusting crosswind... that becomes a problem much earlier.

 

The flight manual crosswind limitations are between 25 and 35 knots, to give you an indication. Around 20 knots is probably what you'd consider a windy day.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort_scale

 

Cheers,

Fred

[ralfidude]

Extreme heavy winds suck... I tried a server running that, I had 80% right gear failure, as did my wingman upon take off... poop... Still a fun landing though! :)

[LcSummers]

Thanks guys,

 

every information is welcome. :thumbup:

 

So much, great. I am very confident with all of your posts. This helped me.

 

 

S!

 

LC

Edited March 18, 2012 by LcSummers

[Nu-NRG]

I might as well post here. The wind direction provided by ATC is the wind blowing TO, or is it FROM?

[towsim]

It's always 'from'.

[Britchot]

I might as well post here. The wind direction provided by ATC is the wind blowing TO, or is it FROM?

 

Yes, always from. Just remember that the wind blows, it doesn't suck. It's a phrase used at my work.