Crosswind Landings
Strategies for Success
On Technique:
Wing-low, or Cross-Controlled
Wing-low, or Cross-Controlled
Advantages:
•Nose always pointed down runway.
•Aileron controls L/R drift on final.
•Control inputs can change relative to
wind effect.
Wing-low, or Cross-Controlled
Disdvantages:
•Drift controlled with aileron, heading
with rudder—opposite!
•When low and slow, this can be
problematic.
•Uncomfortable for passengers/crew
(slip).
On Technique:
Crab
Crab
Advantages:
•Always tracking runway with little
correction for drift needed.
•Easy on passengers and crew.
•Controls are relatively neutral at low
airspeeds, making a go-around easier.
Crab
Disadvantages:
•Difficulty occurs at touchdown—crab
must be released and wing-low must be
established simultaneously.
•Side-loading of landing gear is possible if
timing is off!
•Flare timing is key.
Operational Considerations:
Airspeed
•~1.3x Vso affords greater control
authority.
•Gust Factor—winds 15g25= Gust
Factor of 10. Add half the gust
factor to approach speed (5kts).
Operational Considerations:
Flaps
•Headwind factor reduces airspeed.
•Consider using no flaps, or flaps 100
•Flaps allow flight at lower airspeeds,
but at the increase in drag.
•C182 at full flaps requires much
higher power settings.
CAP Regulation 60-1
2-1. Basic Rules.
p. The maximum crosswind limit for operating CAP aircraft is
that which is stated in the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) as
the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity or 15 knots if
the POH does not specify a limit.
Now ask yourself…
“When was the last time the winds remained the same after flying
all day?”
Train for crosswinds and operate to advantage.
References
CAPR 60-1 (2011). CAP Flight Management.
Kershner, W.K. (2001). The Student Pilot’s Flight Manual. 9th ed. Iowa State
University Press.
Rossier, Robert N. Crosswind Landings. From AOPA Flight Training. Retrieved
from www.flighttraining.aopa.org/students/solo/skills/crosswind.html
on March 1, 2012.
US Department of Transportation (2004). Airplane Flying Handbook.
FAA-H-8083-3A Federal Aviation Administration.