TAILDRAGGER CROSSWIND

The weather today (Saturday, 13 October) was not too good (understatement, it was complete c**p, high winds and rain) so my planned first flight in one of the new Tecnams didn't happen.  So, nothing to tell about today but last Sunday was quite "exciting".....

Sunday 7th October

I had a flight in the Stearman with instructor, Pete, planned for this morning at Classic Flyers, Tauranga.  The weather the day before had been very windy and this morning the wind was 200º at 15 knots which was about a 10 knot crosswind on 25 which meant it would be "interesting" and definitely not a day for me going solo (which may happen one day soon, hopefully).
The windsock outside Classic Flyers was almost horizontal but Pete still considered it good to go, "A good, honest crosswind".  We flew 5 circuits and it felt like 10!!  The first takeoff was OK, remembering to keep straight with rudder and aileron into wind but I did let myself drift quite a bit to the right of the centreline on upwind (naughty!!).  The first touch-and go started off well.  I crabbed in on the centre line, kicking straight with rudder at about 150' altitude and keeping down the centreline with aileron and a reasonable "wheeler" resulted and the take-off a bit better than the first.  However the next one wasn't so good.  I was a touch enthusiastic with right rudder and was pointing towards the tower as we lifted off.  A bit of a turn to the left got us into more or less the right direction.
Pete decided he would do the next touch and go as a "demo".  This was an expert touch-and-go and control was handed back to me on climb out.  I managed a reasonable landing and climb-out next time but by now I could feel the conditions getting to me (as well as the wind getting a bit gustier) and called for a full stop.  That landing was nowhere near perfect but not too bad and we headed back for a much needed LARGE flat white at the AvGas cafe.  All good fun, if somewhat challenging.  Never mind, it makes one appreciate the good days more.