X-Wind Landings

[Ronald J Wanttaja]

> I suspect that many other private pilots have similar deficiencies and
> that it might be a good idea to practice procedures that have been on
> your shelf since the student days. And get some dual.

Best to count on doing all the really vicious X-wind practice dual. A long
time ago, in a _FLYING_ magazine far, far, away, there was an "I Learned
about Flying From That" column entitled, "The Judge was a Pilot." The
article was by a poor fellow who pranged his steed one day, practicing
crosswind landinds. The insurance company refused to pay damages, since
the pilot was flying from a multi-runway airport and "deliberately" chose
the runway with the crosswind, and thereby was not exercising due care. It
was not a jury trial. The pilot argued that such operations were necessary
to maintain his proficiency and skill. The pilot won, but wondered what
would have happened if the judge hadn't happened to have been a pilot.
Included a neat little drawing of a judge wearing a helmet and goggles.
So, it might be far better to grab an appropriately rated (and insured)
instructor wheen going out to fly sideways.

Ron Wanttaja
(ssc-vax!wanttaja)

J'ever notice how you tend to, well, elaborate stories
the more you tell them?

"... I gripped my checklist firmly between my teeth as
the faint miasma of water vapor was transfigured into
roaring flame. I steadied the bucking Cessna's wheel with
my right knee, dropped full flaps with my right arm, and
heeled-and-toed the rudder with my left foot. My left arm
was then free to reach from the open window and stop the
windmilling prop, as the aged, smoking 150 blazed toward
the runway like an Imron comet."