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

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A red and white windsock. [Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Crosswind landings pose a significant challenge in aviation, often leading to accidents, especially with smaller aircraft, and many pilots lack sufficient practice due to runway alignment with prevailing winds.
Pilots must accurately determine the crosswind component for their chosen runway using tools like the E6B or POH charts, and understand their aircraft's demonstrated crosswind capabilities.
Effective crosswind landing techniques include the crab method (aligning just before touchdown) and the sideslip method (using bank into the wind with opposite rudder) to maintain directional control and prevent drift.
It is crucial for pilots to recognize when a crosswind exceeds their or the aircraft's capabilities, especially as control effectiveness diminishes with speed, and be prepared to execute a go-around rather than attempt an unsafe landing.

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“How are your crosswind landings?”

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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.