Snowbirdxx
Well-Known Member
Friday we flew to Jonathan, a small strip on an island on the river Piave in northern Italy. Wind was a 10 KT tailwind, smooth ride and good visibility. Returning on Sunday morning the wind had changed to a 60 Kt headwind in 9000ft with severe turbulence reported.
I flew low in the valleys trying to make ground north. But or Lab Gina was in the back and turbulences even low were pretty strong, so we landed in Sarentino. When entering the valley I did 80 mph groundspeed, when starting the approach about 2 NM later at the church the GS showed 45mph gradually decreasing to 20 as I descended.
I approached without flaps, the AOA had all lights blinking and the stallwarning sounded like a sonate of Rachmaninoff. Usually this approach is flown with 20 flaps and just above idle. Sunday often full power was needed. Airspeed fluctuated by 30 mph and more and the gusts moved us horizontally up to 100 ft.
After landing we decided to take the car home. The 6 hr dive sucked. But I guess the Husky experienced one more time its limits.
The vid attached was made by Darren Fern without wind two years ago. Thanks Darren.
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