On Fri, 4 Aug 2006 01:01:11 -0500, "Jim Macklin"
wrote:

I have taken off with calm winds and had 40 knots 1/2 an
hour later. If you don't teach students to fly in strong
winds, you are not preparing them for changes in the
weather.

First solo at 25 knots isn't a problem, we have probably
flown many dual lessons at 25 knots or more. We also seek
out strong crosswinds.

Long after getting my PPL I requested a X/wind landing for practice to
see what I could cope with. I managed about 15Kt in a PA28 with
demonstrated 17Kt. It went very well and I was pleased but I later
heard a comment from another pilot wondering what I was doing in those
conditions!

A more serious problem was a normal landing with about 25Kt gusting
38Kt less than 30° from the runway heading. All went well untill I
suddenly dropped onto the runway very hard. Normal approach is 63Kt so
I used about 70Kt. The pilot at the side of me said he saw the
airspeed indicator fall from 70Kt to 40Kt. That was not my best
landing :-(

If you want practice in these conditions you should try Maui (Hawaii)
as they apparently always have gusting and cross winds. Makes landing
interesting and watching the commericals coming in fast with less flap
proves the conditions.