Glen, I think you're right on track. I would add that perhaps pilots should remember to closely monitor their ground track so that any necessary steering corrections be as small as possible. Making a quick, large correction to return to the center line could be somewhat of a problem in a strong crosswind.
John Roach N 2427H Glen Davis wrote: > > Robert > > Good point and an experience I, too, have had...although the runway > was 150 feet wide and I already was almost airborne I don't know the > answer but I will assume the answer is as follows (comments, > suggestions, corrections please): > > In a pedalless Ercoupe, on take-off with a strong crosswind, add a bit > of extra forward pressure on the nosewheel during the ground-roll > portion of the take-off, thus keeping the nosewheel firmly planted and > reducing the possibility of the airplane weathervaning into the wind. > When at Vr (rotation speed), briskly pull back and get the aircraft > flying. Then, crab as necessary to maintain runway heading. > > Any thoughts > > Glen Davis CFII > > > *From:* robertbartunek <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > *Sent:* Tuesday, January 22, 2008 9:00 AM > *To:* [email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]> > *Subject:* [ercoupe-flyin] Crosswind take offs > > I've read a lot of comments about how easy it is to land an Ercoupe > in a crosswind, even up to 30 kts or so, and all those comments are > quite true. What we should be talking about, though, are crosswind > takeoffs which can become a bit hairy. > On my recent trip bringing my Coupe down to Florida, I landed at > Perryton, TX in a fairly stout crosswind. Now problem. Touch down > in a crab and the nose swings around to track down the runway just > like in a T-38 which uses the same crosswind landing technique. All > this occurs while the aircraft is decelerating so lateral control > down the runway is uncomplicated using the nosewheel steering and the > airspeed is low. > Takeoffs, however, are a differnt challenge. > Departing Perryton, I started a normal takeoff run and reaching about > 35 knots the aircraft wanted to weathervane to the right into the > approximate 30 mph crosswind so I turned the wheel to the left to > track centerline. Then the fun began. > The left turn input on the wheel also made the right (upwind) aileron > go down creating more lift on the right (upwind) wing. I glanced out > to the right and was really surprised at how far downward the right > aileron was deflected. The aircraft fairly quickly assumed about a 20 > degree left bank while still on takeoff roll at about 40 mph. > Instinct resulted in turning the wheel to the right to lower the > right wing but it also turned the nose wheel to the right which > magnified the right turning moment (weathervane) into the crosswind. > Instead of runway ahead, I saw runway edge, grass, runway lights and > trees. As I approached the runway edge, I rotated and the Coupe > became airborne prior to leaving the hard surface because we were now > at about 50 mph IAS. Whew! I'll bet it looked like some drunk had > stolen an airplane, if anyone was watching the takeoff. > So watch out for the crosswind takeoffs and associated roll away from > the upwind wing. I think I have a plan to compensate for this > weathervane/roll effect but I will leave that conversation for later. > Oh yeah, I have about 6000 hours, an ATP and have flown everything > from mach plus (T-38) to mach nix (A-1 Skyraider) so I am not exactly > new to the game. This takeoff really surprised me and caught me > offguard. > Robert Bartunek > > Glen > > > > Glen Davis > 917 297 1111 > www.ishootpictures.com <http://www.ishootpictures.com> > www.ercoupepilot.com <http://www.ercoupepilot.com> >
