Posted on

Unmanned aircraft takes off in high winds

This video is a good example of what can happen if you don’t keep your plane tied down!

This low wing, 2-seater aircraft is parked with only wheel chocks holding it in place.   Considering that the plane actually takes lift in this video the wind must be blowing well in excess of 40 knots.  We’ve certainly had more than our fair share of winds that strong or stronger at CYBW (and most of Southern Alberta for that matter), so it’s not difficult to imagine this could easily happen to our planes should they not be hangared and tied down.

Can anybody tell what kind of aircraft is in this video?

Heavy winds are common in this area due to the effect of the nearby mountains. This fall, we had 6 days or more each month from September to December when the wind was blowing in excess of 25 knots. This also includes two days per month that the wind was blowing in over 30 knots.

High winds sure do increase airplane performance, for example on this super cub landing on a mountain ridge.