Problems keeping TBM 930 straight in 20 kt crosswind during take-off

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Hello all,

I tried to do landings during maximum crosswind of 20 kts today.

That went fine.

The problem only is, that I cannot take-off with 20 kts crosswind as the rudder is to ineffective at lower speeds, so say up to 50 kts.

And I do not understand that, because 20 kts. is the advertised max. cross wind, so it should be possible I think. I tried everything, adjusting the rudder trim to all extremes, pushing the nose wheel down, but it does not help.

Does anybody know what the problem is and how to solve this? Am i doing something wrong?

If anyone knows, please let me know. Greetings, Boudewijn

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I assume your issue is from when the aircraft changes from a ground machine to an air machine. Control usage is different. And define “straight”. Obviously the aircraft heading will not be straight in a large crosswind. It will be offset because of the wind. What’s important is that the aircraft track is straight.

The rudder is ineffective when slow and, on the ground, but the nose wheel isn’t. While on the ground, as long as you are using correct technique with your ailerons then maintaining a centre line isn’t much of a problem. If you have rudder pedals anyway…

On takeoff where you transition from a ground machine to an air machine you need to smoothly transition to coordinated flight and start pointing a bit into the wind using your ailerons to fly slightly sideways to counteract the wind. On takeoff you are probably cross controlled for a short time. You don’t want to stay that way.

When lined up, make sure you have your heading bug set to the runway heading so you can tell where straight-ahead is when you leave the runway.

You should be smooth in all your control movements. If you’re abrupt then you will have a much harder time. And this takes practice. Practice without wind-gusts.

There is TONS of info about flying in crosswinds on the net that go into detail. Maybe have as look.

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Hello all,

Yuudai, thank you for you extensive reply.

Perhaps I did not describe my problem clear enough.

My problem, is that if I am on the runway, and I set 20 kts crosswind, than I cannot take off, because full rudder won’t keep me on the runway. And before I reach 40 kts. the plane gradually turns into the unpaved patch next to the runway (off road). The only way that helps a bit is differential braking, but that is obviously no normal way to take off. Let alone that it keeps the speed low so that you cannot take off normally. And full aileron, and the elevator pushing down the nose wheel does not help either.

As the manual says 20 kts. crosswind is the max., then or the flightmodel is wrong, which could be of course. Or I am doing something wrong. And I am guessing it is the first one.

The strange thing is, that when I did a 180 degree turn, and took off in that direction, the problem seems more manageable. I cannot explain that either.

I looked at the ruddertrim, and I see a marked white center, and I see a green patch. I don’t know what they mean, it is not explained in the manual as far as I know. Nontheless, I have put the rudder trim full left on 1 take off try, and full right on the other take off try, with the same 20 kts., to see if that would provide me with the needed extra rudder input. But it does not make a difference, so it does not increase the rudder range.

So this is the situation. And I cannot explain why. Perhaps somebody can.

Otherwise I will just assume that in MSFS, the safe crosswind limit is 15 kts. for takeoff for the TBM. Landing with 20 kts. is possible, and even more because you can use diff. braking.

If somebody still can help me stay on the runway with 20 kts. crosswind, please let me know.

Greetings,

Boudewijn

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The green is the takeoff range.

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Dear all,

Thanks for your comments. But in the end it was my mistake, because I used this mod: https://flightsim.to/file/73385/asobo-tbm-930-realism-mod

Today I thought about that. And up on testing it showed that this mod causes this strange behavior. So I asked the mod developer about it, and perhaps he can improve it or not.

Mystery solved.

Thanks to you all, greetings, Boudewijn

1 Like
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Yuudai gave excellent advise.