There’s an Art to Making Crosswind Landings

So many schools of thought exist, but personal choice leans toward the slip.

Martha Lunken

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

If you want to start a lively discussion with a group of pilots, ask for their opinions on the safest, most effective, and workable way to handle a crosswind landing. [Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

The article primarily discusses two methods for crosswind landings: the "slip" (or side slip), preferred by the author for general aviation to prevent side loads, and the "crab" method, often used by larger aircraft which may absorb sideways landing forces.
Effective crosswind landing requires significant practice and an understanding of aircraft-specific limitations, with pilots advised to consult crosswind component charts and consider diverting to a different airport if conditions are too severe.
The pilot in command holds ultimate responsibility for safety, as illustrated by the author's anecdote of declaring an emergency to land on a taxiway when severe crosswinds made runway landing unsafe, invoking the right to depart from rules when absolutely necessary for safety.

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I’m jumping into one of the most dissected and debated issues in the aviation world.

If you want to start a lively discussion with a group of pilots, ask for their opinions on the safest, most effective, and workable way to handle a crosswind landing…particularly a strong one with rain, turbulence, or gusty winds. Hopefully, include some “big airplane” guys and some taildragger pilots to spice things up.