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This video is a good example of what can happen if you don’t keep your plane tied down!
This low wing, 2-seater aircraft is parked with only wheel chocks holding it in place.   Considering that the plane actually takes lift in this video the wind must be blowing well in excess of 40 knots.  We’ve certainly had more than our fair share of winds that strong or stronger at CYBW (and most of Southern Alberta for that matter), so it’s not difficult to imagine this could easily happen to our planes should they not be hangared and tied down.
Can anybody tell what kind of aircraft is in this video?
https://youtu.be/TlEKiSwttsc
Heavy winds are common in this area due to the effect of the nearby mountains. This fall, we had 6 days or more each month from September to December when the wind was blowing in excess of 25 knots. This also includes two days per month that the wind was blowing in over 30 knots.
High winds sure do increase airplane performance, for example on this super cub landing on a mountain ridge.

Alicja Gados

I was born in Europe (Poland) and moved to Calgary as a young kid and grew up in Canada. I began graduate school in Edmonton, Alberta where I also began ground school and my private pilot’s license training at Edmonton city centre, the now closed, Blatchford field, CYXD (most operators have moved a short way west to Villeneuve). I moved to the rocky mountains, I transferred flight schools to very busy, and windy Springbank airport – CYBW near Calgary. This move was overwhelming, at best. This is a blog about my experience learning to fly, acquiring more flight experience and ratings but also about general aviation topics, news and gear reviews. I’ve discovered that flying takes a lot of studying, work and dedication, but is very rewarding! I started flying just out of graduate school, so I have struggled with paying for my lessons, and as a result, I have to take many breaks, which means that getting licensed has taken many more hours than normal. I am a commercial and multi IFR rated licensed pilot. I completed my PPL and CPL in Calgary-Springbank and multi IFR (group one) ratings in Abbotsford, BC at Chinook Helicopters. If you are learning to fly, interested in learning to fly or just interested in aviation, please join us. I trained as an economist before becoming a pilot and switching to aviation full time. I enjoy climbing, mountaineering, hiking, camping and backcountry skiing. It’s a great time to be in aviation. The industry is growing.

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