Having the right technique for cross wind landings will ensure you improve your confidence, skills and make flying under challenging conditions much safer.
The crosswind landing is one of the more difficult skills to master so its important you practice regularly. Start with a low crosswind and as your confidence grows, build up to higher crosswinds.
There are two main techniques to use on approach and various pilots have their preferred methods of executing a crosswind landing.
Crab into wind And Sideslipping
Crab Technique
Point the nose into the wind such that you maintain a straight track along the runway centerline. As you enter the flare, kick opposite rudder. Use rudder to keep the plane lined up straight with the runway and dip the wing into the wind to eliminate any sideways movement. Then hold the plane straight and avoid sideways motion while pulling back the yoke and flaring. As the plane slows and settles you will have to turn a little bit more into the wind
Sideslipping
The purpose of this technique is to maintain heading aligned with the centerline. The initial phase of the approach is flown using the Crab technique to correct for drift. The aircraft heading is adjusted using rudder and ailerons to align with the runway. This places the aircraft at a constant sideslip angle, which its natural stability will tend to correct. Sufficient rudder and aileron must be applied continuously to maintain the sideslip at this value. The dihedral action of the wings has a tendency to cause the aircraft to roll, so aileron must be applied to check the bank angle.
With a slight residual bank angle, a touchdown is typically accomplished with the upwind main wheels touching down just before the downwind wheels. Excessive control must be avoided because over-banking could cause the engine nacelle or outboard wing flap to contact the runway/ground.
In strong crosswind conditions, it is sometimes necessary to combine the crab technique with the sideslip technique.
Your Instructor will provide you with the technique deemed best by the school and you can make slight variations that work best for you.
Good luck with your cross wind landings and don’t forget to practice regularly !!
