True that wenn wind is especially strong (more than 65 kn) on landing, only the captain lands the plane?

Question

True that wenn wind is especially strong (more than 65 kn) on landing, only the captain lands the plane?

Answer 1

No, I know a few FO's who have more experience than the Capt's. They stay FO's because they are Senior FO's and can stay on top of the bidding process. If they become Captains they will be Junior Captains and fall to the bottom of the bidding. When on top of the bidding they have full control of when they want to work and what runs they take.

As a Junior Capt. you lose control of when you work and runs you have to fly.

True, the money is less but to some people home and family come before money. I know that is foreign to the "X' generation but some people still pay cash and refuse to go into debt.   Strange, huh?

Answer 2

Landed a light twin in 57 knots of wind once (in Iowa) and a twin turbo prop in fifty-something knots at JFK once. Clear weather both times, just windy. Winds were right down the runway or nearly so. And I don't recall if those were the gusts or the sustained speeds. Pretty sure sustained. But I digress. The short answer to your question is: No. Sixty-five knots (if by "kn" you mean knots) of sustained wind speed, though, is up there and is likely to affect operations without regard to which pilot is flying.

Re: walt554's comments about gen "X": I'm not in that generation, either, but I thought that the gen x stereotype (and it would be a stereotype) is more lifestyle-oriented and less workaholic. I read an article last year in a non-aviation professional journal which stated that high billable hours requirements and partnership tracks are being rejected by an increasing number of more recent grads in favor of a less "workaholic" lifestyle or in favor of working for non-profits, etc. And, to your point, I knew a very senior 727 F.O. in the old days who stayed in the right seat so he could have weekends off. The reason? He was the weekend weather guy at a small UHF TV station in his hometown.

Final Comment: If someone really is just about the money when it comes to choice of occupation, he/she wouldn't be a pro pilot, anyway...

Answer 3

There is no regulation that requires the captain perform the landing.  Normally the captain and copilot alternate landings, but if the capitain feels he needs to perform a landing for any reason it is his decision.

    A 65 knot wind is an extreme condition, but wind speed is not as important as the wind direction or the amount of the wind is gusting.  A steady 65 knot wind down the runway would end to  make landing easier - or at least shorter! It would make taxing in interesting though.

   A 30 knot crosswind, that is a wind blowing across the runway, would be a bigger challange. The most dangerous condition to land in is gusty wind.  When wind speed or direction changes suddenly it can cause the plane to loses airspeed and lift for a moment and drop, or to suddenly gain airspeed and climb, both can be a problem to recover from when flying at a low speed and altitude.

Answer 4

If the wind is blowing that hard, the captain is still home in bed.

Answer 5

Depends on company procedure. Regardless who has more experience, first officer or captain, the captain has ultimate command of the aircraft. First officer or captain can land the plane to the maximum aircraft cross-wind limits, or the company cross-wind limits whichever is less. However, if the first officer is having difficulty or feels uncomfortable, the captain has every right to take control away from the first officer and land the plane him/herself. However, taking control away from the first officer is almost never necessary because both are highly trained, experienced, and capable.

The pilots I talked to never had to take control away, or had control taken away from them, but explained to me that the captain is ultimately responsible.

Answer 6

It all depends on what the company flight ops manual dictates. Some outfits require that the captain does the landing when certain weather conditions exist. I've heard of some where the F/O flies the approach and the captain monitors. Some companies don't care who does the landing.

Answer 7

It is not true,

However, every plane has its crosswind and absolute wind limits, if the wind is stronger than the limit (e.g. 30 knots), it can't land at that airport.

If the windspeed is more than 65 kt, it's likely that you won't land there at all.

Answer 8

No it is not true...not every Captain has as much experience as a First Officer (most likely this is the case but not always).

Anyway, most airplanes have a "MAXIMUM DEMONSTRATED" Crosswind...which is not a limitation.

Plus where does it get that windy on a regular basis?