Landing in Colorado Springs

[hbailey682]

Hi all you wonderful, knowledgable pilots and fellow fearful flyers. My biggest fear about flying (among several) is "weather". And living in the South, we get a lot of "weather" thus my white knuckle take offs and landings. I remember a pilot telling me, "you don't want to land in Colorado Springs after noon because of the winds coming down off the mountain". I didn't think to ask why because the several times I've landed there have always been before noon. This pilot had a single engine plane so maybe he was referring to that and not commercial aircraft since there are a many that fly into that airport after noon. Anyway, I'm flying into Colorado Springs in July, arriving around 9 PM and of course I'm concerned about the windsweather. So any knowledge or comforting words would be appreciated. And of course, the 737 crash in Colorado Springs is in on my mind. :rolleyes:

[spleisher]

A single engine plane is a whole different animal when it comes to wind. It all depends on the "croswind component" an aircraft is rated for. Larger airplanes can handle a whole lot more wind while maintaining positive control than a small plane can.

[hbailey682]

Sean and Spleisher...as always thanks for your responses. Sorry, I'm just responding...haven't had access to my computer :o).

[Passenger Mark]

Midday winds at Colorado Springs can cause some bumpy approaches. Completely safe... just bumpy. Same as in Vegas in the summer.

However by 9:00 PM things should have calmed back down, much like landing in the morning.

Remember... your pilots are not going to take you anywhere that is not safe to do so. Afterall, they are going to the same place you are!

[CaptainStark]

Flew out of Kansas City to Phoenix yesterday and Denver was closed with microbursts and shear all up and down the front range of the Rockies. We passed the line of weather and it was pretty developed extending from south of Pueblo north past Denver. I was hoping that this was not your day to travel!

When it's too bad, they just shut down operations and wait it out.:thumbsup:

:ray:

[hbailey682]

Thanks again everyone for your replies. And Capt. Stark, luckily my flight is not until this Friday 15th and I'm keeping my fingers crossed we don't encounter exactly what you described. Exactly why I don't fly comfortably...I'm thinking..."but what if...what if this is the one time they don't shut the airport down...what if this is the one time they'll take that chance"...mumble, mumble...my imagination drives me crazy. However right now my mind is preoccupied...I'm celebrating that we dodged the bullet Dennis (hurricane)...so close. Hate that anyone suffered any damage...with Ivan less than a year ago, I wasn't ready to face another long term recovery.