Cross wind limits for sonerai?

[guy markley]

Sonerai 2 L with 2180, I would like to know the crosswind limits for the plane. Next week or so, I will having the first flight. It's been fairly calm here in Fl.
Guy Markley 747VG

 

[Schmleff]

Welcome to the forum.

Its not so much about what the planes limits are as what your limits are having never flown a Sonerai before. Do you have any time in small fast homebuilts? If not I would wait for a time when there is no crosswind (or very little, say under 3 or 4 kts).

I have landed my SI in 60 degree cross winds with gusts to about 18kts but it was not easy (for me at least).

 

[thomefran]

Hi Guy

I have found that I need to concentrate more on the speed at landing. 80 mph is very important when over the numbers. At the present I don't fly with any crosswind component more than 3-5 kts. Hope this helps. Have a good check list to go thru. Make sure the canopy is shut, locked and checked twice. Good luck on your first flight. The Sonerai is a really neat ship.

 

[Gaston]

Hi Guy

most probably the weak link in this issue is with the pilot and not the Sonerai in itself.
Mine is a 2L and I fly is strong wind as often as I can,and I love this little bird for that...
15 Kts at 90 from the left, is easy with no gust,and more demanding but not that bad with gusts.
from the right it's another story,I was not able to master as much cross wind from the right, until a few years ago.
wind that can be mastered by average pilot in a C-152 are no problem for the sonerai...

Keep in mind that the sonerai must be flown positively,and one must not be sitting on the tail

As Jeff said familiarise yourself with the sonerai BEFORE you play in the
wind, you will be glad you did...

Gaston

 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Again, the Sonerai is very similar in flying characteristics to an S1 Pitts. About 20 knots with a 90 degree x wind. There's plenty of control authority.

 

[Bil4381]

I flew the whole first year in cross winds never exceeding 5 kts and am not sorry. The second year it was 10 and last year it was 12 kts. In my area the chop in a cross wind exceeding 15 kts is worthy of respect.

So it's more about your crosswind handling skills than the plane. I would increase my crosswind limits in 2 or 3 knot increments. Don't hesitate to reduce your personal limits again if you don't fly for a while, say due to winter. I have driven home dozens of times without flying, when the weather went south after I left home.

I find that my SII continues to demand respect. Bring your A-game to every flight.
Bill