55kt Wind Gusts Almost Blows Away Tugs

[Six-Seven]

I was sent a link to this interesting video shot from a control tower that shows purported 55kt wind gusts (microburst?) almost blowing some SuperCub tugs right off the runway except for some quick thinking getting them airborne by the pilots (in the right way). Not to mention lots of people holding down some gliders from trying to take off on their own.

There are no location details in the text other than "Colorado" but the video identifies the airport as KAFF (http://www.airnav.com/airport/KAFF) which is the USAF Academy. I believe that they fly DG-1000's.

Scary for the tug pilots to say the least.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/55-kt-gusts-force-super-cub-tow-planes-to-takeoff-from-1597005838/1597062545/+travis

[Vaughn]

Wow! I don't know that either pilot really planned to take off, but
that 55kt headwind could quickly turn into a hellish tailwind. Not a
great time to be flying near the ground!

Vaughn

[[email protected]]

On Friday, June 27, 2014 6:46:53 PM UTC-7, Vaughn wrote:
> Wow! I don't know that either pilot really planned to take off, but
>
> that 55kt headwind could quickly turn into a hellish tailwind. Not a
>
> great time to be flying near the ground!
>
>
>
> Vaughn

Awesome video clip. Really quick thinking on EVERYONE's decisions on how to handle the situation. And, some good piloting and some good luck. Nasty air.

Bob

[[email protected]]

It was shown at Moriarty region 9 as happening at the AF acadamy in colorado springs by the officer videoing it from the control tower. Great job from everyone involved. Very quick thinking by the tug pilots to save all the cubs:) Not sure I could have done any of that :)

[GC[_2_]]

On 28-Jun-14 09:12, Six-Seven wrote:
> I was sent a link to this interesting video shot from a control tower
> that shows purported 55kt wind gusts (microburst?) almost blowing
> some SuperCub tugs right off the runway except for some quick
> thinking getting them airborne by the pilots (in the right way). Not
> to mention lots of people holding down some gliders from trying to
> take off on their own.
>
> There are no location details in the text other than "Colorado" but
> the video identifies the airport as KAFF
> (http://www.airnav.com/airport/KAFF) which is the USAF Academy.

Great reactions by the Cub pilots. Are they cadets too?

If it's the Academy is the bright green runway in the background the
million dollar Astro Turf?

GC

[son_of_flubber]

I wonder what the wind, radar and forecast looked like before the incident.

My no-go-criteria gets weaker on the weekend.

My instinct is to hold onto the wingtip when my feet leave the ground.

[Brad[_2_]]

On Saturday, June 28, 2014 9:32:32 AM UTC-7, son_of_flubber wrote:
> I wonder what the wind, radar and forecast looked like before the incident.
>
>
>
> My no-go-criteria gets weaker on the weekend.
>
>
>
> My instinct is to hold onto the wingtip when my feet leave the ground.

I kind of wonder why they were out there in those conditions in the first place.

"safety stand-down" anyone?

Brad

[Mike the Strike]

It's very difficult to forecast downbursts since they are so random and variable. Conditions can change so quickly that it's hard to call a stand-down.

On the day in question, conditions even a few moments before the incident didn't look bad and a downburst of the magnitude experienced were not forecast.

Anyway, it's good training for them - they may have to fight in the rain!

Mike

[Bill T]

Cub pilots are contract pilots.
And yes that is an astro turf glider runway. Saves a lot on water and mowing.

[Dan Marotta]

Having spoken with an officer who was there, what Mike said is pretty
much how it was described to me.

Dan Marotta

On 6/28/2014 3:37 PM, Mike the Strike wrote:
> It's very difficult to forecast downbursts since they are so random and variable. Conditions can change so quickly that it's hard to call a stand-down.
>
> On the day in question, conditions even a few moments before the incident didn't look bad and a downburst of the magnitude experienced were not forecast.
>
> Anyway, it's good training for them - they may have to fight in the rain!
>
> Mike

[Andy[_1_]]

On Friday, June 27, 2014 4:12:49 PM UTC-7, Six-Seven wrote:

"Not to mention lots of people holding down some gliders from trying to take off on their own. "

Interesting video but be careful about trying to hold down gliders that are determined to fly. A long time ago I think AGCSC had a serious injury to a member who decided, only after becoming airborne hanging on the wing tip, that letting go was a better idea. I think it was at Borrego Springs. Anyone remember the details?

Andy (GY)