jimmytavino 16 #1 September 13, 2008 ... soooo i am watching the morning news programs, which are showing us Live shots of the coastal areas near galveston... and I am wondering WHO the HEck is flying ANYTHING,, let alone a rotor blade machine in winds that are reported to be 80-100MPH??? do they start out somewhere else, and then fly into the storm area, and then return to a place of lower winds to land??? what gives?? I figured that most aircraft would be staying on the ground, whenever "Birds are backin' Up " any pilots out there?? who can enlighten me??? jt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shermanator 4 #2 September 13, 2008 are you sure the shots were from aircraft, and not from cameras on buildings/poles?CLICK HERE! new blog posted 9/21/08 CSA #720 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #3 September 13, 2008 Quoteare you sure the shots were from aircraft, and not from cameras on buildings/poles? That's what I was thinking... I haven't seen any aerial footage yet, but if they're in Houston, well some buildings are 800 feet tall... just saying...."Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #4 September 13, 2008 yes. the point of view, is definately MOVING,,, and seems to be a few hundred feet off the ground... unless the winds have blown away any pole or building mounted camera.... it's for sure footage from an aircraft.. i am guessing helicopter, but it could be a fixed wing aircraft, i suppose... jt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #5 September 13, 2008 Quote yes. the point of view, is definately MOVING,,, and seems to be a few hundred feet off the ground... unless the winds have blown away any pole or building mounted camera.... it's for sure footage from an aircraft.. i am guessing helicopter, but it could be a fixed wing aircraft, i suppose... jt If that's true, that pilot's either got big balls or he's an idiot... "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #6 September 13, 2008 If you think it through steady winds, even very high ones, at the hundred MPH level doesn't prevent flight. Hurricane Hunter aircraft fly through hurricane strength winds all the time. The shears and landings can be rough, but they land and take off outside the hurricane's path. And the rest is just turbulence. Helicopters can do it too they just can't do much like actually pluck people up with a winch because they can't hold a position over the ground. And you've probably done it yourself. It's not all that uncommon for airliners to encounter headwinds or tailwinds at their cruising altitudes in the 100 MPH range. I was flying a Cessna 152 through the Banning Pass in California once and there is always a strong head wind there when going East. My airspeed indicator said about 90 knots, but when I looked at the freeway below me the cars were passing me like I was standing still. I doubt I was traveling more than 40 mph over the ground. But an airplane doesn't care about ground speed. So you can fly a Cessna 152 into a 100 mph head wind but you'd be going 10 mph backwards in relation to the ground. But you'd be flying just fine. NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shermanator 4 #7 September 13, 2008 I'm curious, does the same apply for when it is gusty winds? If the conditions are 40 mph winds, with gusts up to 80 or 90?CLICK HERE! new blog posted 9/21/08 CSA #720 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #8 September 13, 2008 i get the concept of negative ground speed.... and that MIGHT be in strong AND consistant headwinds,, such as what could be found at upper altitudes... but these ground winds,,, must also come with a lot of buffetting, and gusts, etc... Sure a 4 engined turboprop Hurricaine Hunter plane,, has to fly into and out of the storms which it is investigating, and can likely handle it..."white knuckled pilots" and all... but low flying aircraft???? closer to the ground?? just doesn't seem safe to me... jt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #9 September 13, 2008 There's always arguments about this even in the flying community. Say you are flying in high winds, like 30 to 40 mph, as you turn downwind, base, and final for landing. What happens to your air speed during those heading changes. But again you have to think more about a boat in the water than an airplane in the air. An airplane will seek it's trim speed no matter what the winds are doing. Although I'll admit to making wider more gradual turns in those conditions. Gusting conditions are the same except it's going to be bumpy. Now you might have trouble getting it on the runway in high crosswinds but that's a whole other thing. NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
