Turbo Commander - KPHX Wind Shear X-Wind

Here we go again! Landing at KPHX in March 2022 with heavy x-wind and wind shear alerts. Nothing like trying to enter a frequency on the GTN750 touchscreen when the plane is being tossed around like a dingy in the ocean. It is enough to make a pilot take the Lord's name in vain.

[@Timbo777LR]

Thanks for posting this! Brings back a lot of great memories! I spent my early years flying cancelled checks at night in an AC690, tail number N9166N, from LWM-BOS-LGA-DET-LGA-BOS-LWM, M-F nights, 6 legs a night, 4 nights a week back in 1979-1983. I logged over 4,000 hours in N9166N, most of it at night. Never missed an approach. We left at 9pm and got back at 6am, then I had to be in college class at 8am! I LOVED flying the Turbo-Commander! Super reliable engines and a great crosswind airplane! With the reverse pitch we could back into our parking spot in DET if we needed to. Now 40 years later I still enjoy a good gusting crosswind challenge, the 757 and 777 are also great crosswind airplanes, I once landed the 777 in a 40kt crosswind in Narita, Japan, smooth as silk, skills I learned at age 19-23 flying 9166N.
Oh btw, the SW guys have to go around if they get a Windshear warning, as all airlines must. Luckily the AC690 doesn’t have a windshear warning system installed!

[@FlyingWildAZ]

Hey Timbo (great name ;) thanks for sharing. Yep I knew the Southwest pilot had some very black and white rules when it came to the landing parameters and I was pretty sure the decision for the go around was mandatory by his OPSPECS, that's why 121s safety record is so stellar and why I want my son in 121 as fast as he can get there. But hey I'm preaching to the choir. Do you remember how much force you had to keep on the rudder pedals of the Commander when taxiing in strong winds? That big rudder is like a sail, It always felt like a 500lbs gorilla was back there just yanking the rudder left and right.

[@Timbo777LR]

@@FlyingWildAZ We would lock our knees with the rudder centered and steer with the props, by adding thrust or putting one in reverse. If we were in a hurry on a long taxiway in/out of JFK or somewhere else we would often go faster than SW does and pull full back elevator to lift the nose wheel off the ground and then steer with the rudder and differential thrust.

[@Timbo777LR]

Do the ACs still have that touchy nose wheel steering, where you tap the toe do the rudder peddle ? If you pushed too hard you got brakes, it was a little tap dance to steer it with the pedals which is why we typically used the props instead.

[@FlyingWildAZ]

@@Timbo777LR Oh yes sir. That's how you spot a new Commander pilot, the plane jerks all around the taxi way. The one bad system design on the whole plane.

[@Timbo777LR]

@@FlyingWildAZ Too funny!

[@hike2bhuman110]

Was def wondering about reverse angle, great job.

[@9HighFlyer9]

That looked exciting...

[@bwinford1561]

Maverick approved.

[@bignitro50]

That's very cool your son was able to record you, I'm sure I see him depart DVT all the time.

[@FlyingWildAZ]

Probably, he is in Alaska right now flying for Alaska Seaplanes during the Summer season.

[@billfly2186]

Real pilot on display here. Southwest boys are simulator pilots. Just what the passengers want, another circuit of the rollercoaster. Just kidding, safety first.

[@naviramos]

🤚