CFI Central Pilot Proficiency

Practice Crosswind Landings Whenever You Can

Since most airports are designed with runways aligned into prevailing winds, many pilots don’t get much work with crosswind takeoffs and landings.

Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 08:38 PM ET

Verified

A red and white windsock. [Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Crosswind landings pose a significant challenge in aviation, often leading to accidents due to insufficient pilot practice, reduced control effectiveness at lower speeds, and the need to accurately determine crosswind components and aircraft limitations.
Pilots employ two primary techniques for crosswind landings: the crab method, where the aircraft crabs into the wind and is straightened with rudder just before touchdown, and the sideslip method, which involves maintaining runway alignment using rudder and banking into the wind throughout the approach.
It is crucial for pilots to recognize when to execute a go-around if struggling with directional control, as strong crosswinds can lead to dangerous weathervaning. Modern airport designs, often optimized for prevailing winds, can limit suitable runway options during significant crosswind conditions.

See a mistake? Contact us.

“How are your crosswind landings?”

“We’re about to find out.”

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.