Message-Id: <3.0.3.32.19981018140059.00709bb0@mail.digital.net>
Date: Sun, 18 Oct 1998 14:00:59 -0400
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
From: John Cooper <heyduke@digital.net>
Subject: More Taxi Testing
Mime-Version: 1.0

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I did another couple of 50KIAS taxi runs today, and experienced a whole new
(to me) phenomenon. Last time I taxied with calm winds, but this time I had
a 10Kt crosswind from the left. This was a whole different ball game, as
they say.

Last time I reported that I could keep her on the centerline without using
the brakes at all, but this time I had to drag the right brake until I got
up to 40KIAS! Then full right rudder alone would hold her on the
centerline. I never applied full power, either.

When I thought about it afterwards, I realized that the crosswind was
pushing my tail to the right (weathervane effect), magnifying the normal
torque and spiraling airstream effects. When I cut the power to decelerate
and brake, the "head for the left side of the runway" effect went away.

I should have taxied in the opposite direction to see if the two effects
would cancel out, but I didn't want to overheat the engine or brakes.

Speaking of brakes, when I got back to the barn and shut her down, the
first thing I did was feel the brake discs and pucks. They weren't as hot
as I was anticipating - I estimate 120 degrees max by the finger test. The
hydraulic fittings were more like 100 degrees.

Lesson: If you are going to take off with a crosswind, make it a RIGHT
crosswind!