[Members] Tuesday 15 September 2026

[St. Louis Aviation Meetup Members List]

Hi all,

Yesterday I was at KSET and winds, which were mild @ maybe around 10 kts,
were constantly varying from about 340 to 020 on runway 36. I was working
with a new pilot and it was surprisingly frustrating for us both.ÂÂ A
direct crosswind keeps you adjusting a sideslip but changing back and
forth between a left and right side slip, as well as the changing aileron
and rudder needs during the takeoff and landing rolls on the ground also
seemed to be more challenging. Which got me thinking about xwinds.

So as I'm filling in for Lee this week, I have picked a couple crosswind
resources and a scenario involving a xwind and a busy airport pattern for
this Tuesday.

Couple questions and a resources:

 * What are the rules of thumb for calculating a cross wind component?
   How can we quickly estimate component for a crosswind of 30, 45, or
   60+ degrees?
 * What is the difference between a side slip and a forward slip?
 * Why are slips and OK and skids Bad?  (they are both uncoordinated flight after all)

AC 90-66C was updated in 2023. It is called non-towered airport flight
operations. Â Besides providing new guidance and interpretations does
continue to call out the AIM, AFH, and A/FD (and others) as additional
guiding documents for operations.

https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_90-66C.pdf   Â

Among changes in the update is section 9.11 and subparagraphs.ÂÂ Th will
factor in this scenario.

 * 9.11 Traffic Flow.

 * The FAA recommends that pilots use visual indicators, such as the
 segmented circle, wind direction indicator, landing direction indicator,
 and traffic pattern indicators that provide traffic pattern information.
 If other traffic is present in the pattern, arriving or departing
 aircraft should use the same runway as these aircraft. Transient aircraft
 may not know local ground references, so pilots should use standard
 pattern phraseology, including distances from the airport.

VIDEO 1

The Pilot Workshop & Sporty's video and refresher on xwinds, called
landings expand your crosswind envelope (Which is one of their missing
lessons series).

VIDEO 2

And the other is the pilot workshop scenario called :

 *48. Picking a Pattern at Arlington*

Going with the flow has advantages, but an acceptable risk for one pilot
can push the envelope for another. However, standing up for your needs
might add risk for someone else. Do you try to fit in and see how it
goes, simply do your own thing despite the crowd, or create a maneuver
on the fly?

This scenario has us making a runway choice for a crosswind, at a busy non
towered airport with multiple runways, multiple aircraft types operating
(ASEL, Glider, & Ultralight). Â We are in a tail dragger and d't really
want the xwind, how do we, or can we even, go against the prevailing in
use pattern?

	See you Tuesday,
	Bryan Peetz

15 September 2026 1H0 PIlot Lounge 1830 CDT