This assignment requires students to answer questions about interpreting METAR information, runway usage, and the effects of headwind and crosswind during flight. They must set up a flight simulator, then record and upload screen recordings of two stabilized circuits with headwind and four with crosswind at varying speeds for runway 28. Tips for flying in these conditions are provided. Deliverables include a completed PDF of the document uploaded to Brightspace, along with the recordings from specified tasks, which should be titled appropriately and uploaded to the same platform.
Tasks
Task 0 - Questions
Answer the following questions. Some questions can be answered after completing the assignment.
When reading the winds in the METAR above, what is the wind direction and speed?
West speed
If you are standing with your back to the west, on which side of your body will you feel the wind given in the above METAR?
On your back
Which runway at KLAF should we use?
Runway 28
Headwind
When flying into a headwind (relative to calm conditions), what considerations do I need to make for:
Turn to base:
Turn to final:
Is landing with a headwind easier than in calm conditions? Why?
In a short paragraph, compare landing with a 5 kts vs 20 kts headwind. Be sure to discuss airspeed, ground speed, descent angle, power input, and landing roll distance.
Crosswind
Define these techniques:
Side Slip:
Crab:
When flying into a left-quartering crosswind and using the crab method:
Which single control input (and direction) do I use to align the aircraft's nose with the centerline?
What happens to the aircraft if all other control inputs are null? Include direction.
What control (and direction) will counteract the movement described above?
In crosswind flight training, your instructor will ask if it's a “sticks in” or a “sticks out” kind of day. What the heck does that mean?!
Task 1 - Setup Simulator
Use
Broken link
document to set up the simulator.
Task 2 - Flying with Headwind
Capture a screen recording of this task, title the file appropriately, and upload a copy to Brightspace.
Complete two stabilized circuits for runway 28 with the following wind settings:
Winds 1: 280 @ 5 kts
Winds 2: 280 @ 20 kts
Headwind flight tips:
You will take off earlier than in calm conditions; adjust accordingly.
Your downwind leg will go very quickly; be ready to set up for landing early.
Your power input during approach will differ from that in calm conditions.
Task 3 - Flying with Crosswind
Capture a screen recording of this task, title the file appropriately, and upload a copy to Brightspace.
Complete four stabilized circuits for runway 28 with the following wind settings:
Winds 1: 240 @ 5 kts
Winds 2: 320 @ 5 kts
Winds 3: 240 @ 20 kts
Winds 4: 320 @ 20 kts
Crosswind flight tips:
Watch the video below:
Deliverables
Upload a completed copy of this document (as a PDF) to brightspace by the due date listed in the