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Wind Speeds

Posted: 05-03-2023 08:20 AM
by Wayne Pierce
Greetings,
Recently a few questions have come up for our Check Flights concerning take offs into the wind compared to RWY headings for take off direction.
Basically, taking off into the wind allows pilots to achieve a higher altitude in less time, and with less speed. According to Snorri Gudmundsson, assistant professor of aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, a Boeing 747 needs about 150 mph of airspeed to reach “wheels up.”
From this web site https://monroeaerospace.com/blog/why-pl ... .%E2%80%9D

The question was about wind speeds and what is our Check flight meaning for "Moderate" winds.

Light Wind. Light Wind: Wind speed of 11 knots (20 km/h) or less, with a Beaufort wind force of 0 to 4. A light wind with a speed ranging from 4 to 27 knots (4 to 31 mph or 6 to 50 kph). Sea water containing a higher concentration of dissolved salt than that normal ly found in the ocean.

Moderate winds have speeds of about 20-38km/hr. They are enough to fly a kite and keep it going higher and higher. They can cause moderate waves with whitecaps on the sea and make trees whistle. Strong winds are also called gale in the USA. They have speeds of about 62-74km/hr.

Heavy winds are around 40mph If there are high winds in your area, which are classed at around 40mph or more, don’t travel. By doing this, you won’t put yourself or others in harm’s way. If you’re unsure about traveling, then check local weather and news reports.

Thanks,