Downdraft Dual

I am a lapsed pilot who last flew 47 years ago. Ive recently gotten back into the left seat and have picked up about 10 new hours flying with a CFI. The first few hours were intimidating, but confidence is returning every. Until, that is, a few days ago.

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A pilot returning to flying experienced alarming and unexpected airspeed fluctuations during touch-and-go practice in gusty conditions.
These events included an uncommanded 20-knot airspeed increase that exceeded flap limits, and later, a rapid 20-knot drop leading to a stall warning at 400 feet AGL.
The pilot subsequently realized these critical events were classic indicators of windshear, which he initially failed to recognize.
He reflected on the need for earlier recognition and a more aggressive response to regain airspeed and maintain aircraft control when encountering such phenomena.

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Iam a lapsed pilot who last flew 47 years ago. I’ve recently gotten back into the left seat and have picked up about 10 new hours flying with a CFI. The first few hours were intimidating, but confidence is returning every. Until, that is, a few days ago.

At 31 degrees F, it was a cold December day for my dual session in a Cessna 172, with a solid overcast at 3000 feet, winds from 280 degrees at 11 knots and gusts to 19. My CFI and I remained in the pattern to fly touch-and-goes on Runway 30.