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As I have said before, here at my airport in the summer we regularly get 15 to 25 kt winds blowing across the only runway at 45 to 90 degrees. Right on time most afternoons about 1 or 2 oclock. BUT, there is a turn off that continues past the taxiway out to the West fence. Wind is right down it 99% of the time. It is pretty short, but with the wind you could likely put a C206 down if you were paying attention.
Anyway, the extension is marked as a helipad but Silverstate helicopters are gone now: Woopee, yes, I have my cross-wind runway back. When I come home in the PM no more begging nice on the radio to get all the whop-whop guys out of the way or worrying about someone not paying attention and landing on top of me. Nice. Going to be a better summer.
DC
Since someone asked via PM I will add that the length is probably 500 ft to the fence, but since I have already flared at the edge of the main runway I am usually pretty much stopped as I cross the taxiway. That is probably 150 ft, perhaps less. That is with say 15 to 20+ kts head on. Doing it that way turns what could be a tense PITA (or worse)into a fun exercise in just being precise. Of course turning to taxi back is sometimes a bit difficult. Oh, the wind usually doesn't die down until about 1:00 AM.
Correction/edit (3/3/08) walked off the distance yesterday, it is about 700 total and my landing distance to the edge of the taxiway is actually 400 ft, not 150. Just never looked back at it closely. Was right on the other way. About 300 from taxiway to the fence (across "helipad".) I thought 150 sounded really short even with a 15-20 headwind.
Anyway, the extension is marked as a helipad but Silverstate helicopters are gone now: Woopee, yes, I have my cross-wind runway back. When I come home in the PM no more begging nice on the radio to get all the whop-whop guys out of the way or worrying about someone not paying attention and landing on top of me. Nice. Going to be a better summer.
DC
Since someone asked via PM I will add that the length is probably 500 ft to the fence, but since I have already flared at the edge of the main runway I am usually pretty much stopped as I cross the taxiway. That is probably 150 ft, perhaps less. That is with say 15 to 20+ kts head on. Doing it that way turns what could be a tense PITA (or worse)into a fun exercise in just being precise. Of course turning to taxi back is sometimes a bit difficult. Oh, the wind usually doesn't die down until about 1:00 AM.
Correction/edit (3/3/08) walked off the distance yesterday, it is about 700 total and my landing distance to the edge of the taxiway is actually 400 ft, not 150. Just never looked back at it closely. Was right on the other way. About 300 from taxiway to the fence (across "helipad".) I thought 150 sounded really short even with a 15-20 headwind.