M20K Cross wind component

[MooneyPilot231]

I had the "pleasure" of taking off today with a reported 70 degree cross wind at 18kt gusting to 25kts reported by the tower. Now, there were some buildings up wind of me a 1/4 mile,  so I knew the tower was getting bigger numbers than what was probably at ground level but let me assure you the wind was cooking big time and a certain part of my anatomy was a little smaller than normal. In the end, I had no problems keeping the airplane on the downwind side of the runway where I positioned it and other than the immediate weather vane into the wind (I requested a turn out into the wind) there were no real problems. I am in no way suggesting you take off in any particular angle or speed of cross wind, nor am I bragging about my doing it. Just trying to provide some "real world" experience vs. what you might find in your flight manual should you ever find yourself in real need to leave some place like I was today. I guess my main purpose for posting this is that I have read on other sites about how hard a Mooney can be to handle in a cross wind and while this is my only real take off crosswind experience with winds this high, I have landed a number of times with 15kt-20kt cross winds without issue. I know for a fact I am nothing special on the pilot talent scale so my guess is a Mooney really handles cross wind take offs and landings pretty well......

[mooniac58]

If I am not mistaken I think the image of being poor in x-wind conditions comes more from the earlier Mooney's that had less rudder surface.  I have also had takeoffs and landings in 12-15KT cross winds and it works out pretty well.  Takeoff's are always easier than landings IMO.  I tried a landing the other day in Maui with winds at 60 degrees 20-23 and had to go around.  Luckily they have a shorter runway (05) that reduced the x factor 30 degrees and I got her down ok.

[Amelia]

Some expert or other, maybe Barry Schiff, suggested some years ago, that when the wind's that strong, taking off from the lee corner of the runway, headed for the windward side a thousand feet or so forward, to cut 20 degrees or more off the crosswind component when you most need it. Then, he suggested, you can steer gently back toward the center of the runway, easing naturally up on that lowered upwind wing as you gain flying speed- or run out of pavement.  Seems to work especially well when the windsock's pointing straight across a reasonably wide runway.