Originally Posted by
BoeingBoy
The apparent fact that the plane got airborne makes it sound like something happened after Vr - wind gusts could cause airspeed fluctuations but with normal acceleration after Vr that wouldn't make much difference unless the gust was appreciably greater than the base wind. Another place judgement enters the picture - if you're getting 10-20 kt fluctuations in airspeed during the takeoff roll don't be in a big hurry meeting V1/Vr standards. Delay both some to allow for possible gusts. Better too much speed than too little once airborne.
Jim - the meterological conditions sound similar to what happened to Continental 1404 in Denver a few years ago, except this time they were at Vr. As you said above, with winds gusting as they were, would you hold her down for an extra 50 kts or so cushion to help in case you were hit by a microburst or cross-wind gust at Vr?