Quote Originally Posted by HighWing View Post
This brought a smile to my face. Several years ago a flight of 6 (1 Rans S-6 that needed the fuel and five Model IVs) returning from the annual Idaho Back Country week needed a fuel stop and a nights rest. Our closest airport was Jackpot, Nevada. Winds were from the west and favored Runway 33. As we approached (as a flight of 6) it became apparent that the winds were fairly strong at about 90 degrees. Our flight leader estimated 8 kts. The estimate was for me an airplane saver :-) I had handled 8 often enough to not be that tight on final. Once on the ground, though, it was apparent that 8 was way low. After taxiing to the pumps it was impossible for the non parking brake guys (me included) to exit their airplanes without wheel chocks. The wind speed was determined to be over 20 kts. once on the ground. Who knows what would have happened if I had known what was really happening. The talk while we fueled was that if we had actually known, we would have landed on the taxiway leading to the pumps - short but doable in that wind. As previously mentioned, the airplanes can handle a lot. At the time, I guess I had about 600 hours in the IV. Would I do it again? Not on purpose.


Those are pretty impressive crosswind landing numbers. I'm sure the Kitfox will keep you on your toes. With the Pacer I've landed with winds gusting to 30k at 90 degree crosswind. Ran put of aileron quickly but never came closer to running out of rudder.