How windy before flights are diverted from airports?

[stackmonkey]

How high do wind speeds (continuous and/or gusts) have to be before flights are diverted to other airports?
My parents are flying into East Midlands tomorrow - I'm just wondering how likely it is that I'll get the call to pick them up from somewhere else?
Thanks.

[anonymous-user]

It's not a wind strength issue but more a question of wind direction.

East midlands runway is an east/west 09/27 direction runway so as long as the wind isn't more than about 40 kts from the north or south they should be fine.

I've just checked the forecast and it's due to be southerly about 20 kts first thing becoming westerly after about 10AM so they should be fine all day.

[MonkeyBusiness]

Every morning as I pass the side of Leeds/Bradford airport, the 8.25 from Southampton is coming into land sideways. The pilots must really hate landing at LBA.

Edited by MonkeyBusiness on Wednesday 10th November 14:42

[stackmonkey]

Thanks.

[brenflys777]

I wouldn't say pilots 'hate' crosswind landings, when you do a good one it's a pretty satisfying feeling. Turbulence on the other hand is just pants.

[scarebus]

I would say 40kts is the max crosswind for most airliners, anything above 30kts is going to be sporty...

[khaosai]

Hi,

some companies also stipulate a max wind speed regardless of direction, i.e max mean speed of 60kts. Other limits might be imposed for opening and closing of the cabin doors.

The B777 has a dry runway crosswind limit of 45 kts and a wet runway limit of 40kts, both for landing.

In the end it comes down staying within the aircraft limitations and knowing your own personal limits.

Some airport locations can influence wind speed and direction, and as a result can create a challenge for crews. The Hong Kong airport being a good example.

[anonymous-user]

MonkeyBusiness said:

The pilots must really hate landing at LBA.

Having been to Leeds I can see why.

[fatboy b]

40 kts seems high. Max for a 737 is 35 in good braking conditions. Goes down to 15kts in poor. I know these are demonstrated speeds, but if you prang the aircraft when conditions are above these, you won't be popular!

[Dr Jekyll]

khaosai said:

Hi,


The B777 has a dry runway crosswind limit of 45 kts and a wet runway limit of 40kts, both for landing.

If the landing is directly north and the wind is 40 knots from 45 degrees, would that count as 40 knots crosswind or 20?

[tontoro]

Dr Jekyll said:

khaosai said:

Hi,


The B777 has a dry runway crosswind limit of 45 kts and a wet runway limit of 40kts, both for landing.

If the landing is directly north and the wind is 40 knots from 45 degrees, would that count as 40 knots crosswind or 20?

20

[fatboy b]

No - it's 28

Edited by fatboy b on Thursday 11th November 14:59

[khaosai]

Hi,

personally i just use the clockcode method. 45 degrees off at 40 kts would be 30kts. If its close to the aircraft limit then i would be more accurate but that rarely occurs.

[tontoro]

i stand corrected