Inflight Pilot Training

MARCH 13, 2025

Struggling with Crosswind Landings The Mistake: Many student pilots struggle with crosswind landings due to incorrect rudder use or improper control inputs. Forgetting to apply rudder and aileron corrections simultaneously. How to Avoid It: Practice crosswind landings regularly with your instructor in varying conditions.

Pilot 52

Pilot Crosswind Final Approach Cockpit 52

Plane and Pilot

MARCH 25, 2025

The airplane is incredibly sensitive, thanks to sweeping, full-span ailerons and an unnaturally tall stick that exaggerates any and all inputs. Working hard not to overcontrol the airplane with my feet, and the slightest touch of right aileron to counteract a 20-knot crosswind, I brought the power in and rotated at 80.

Knot 111

Knot Airplanes Runway Rudder 111

Air Facts

MAY 24, 2024

The only thing that caught my attention was a 90 degree crosswind coming from the east that was gusting to 11 or 12 knots. Turning base to final, I found the crosswind to be gusting as advertised. Pointing my thumb into the wind to get my ailerons around I counted one…two…three, and still, no upwind main touching down.

Aileron 98

Aileron Crosswind Knot Runway 98

Pilot Institute

APRIL 22, 2025

Use coordinated aileron and rudder pressures to swiftly, but not excessively, angle into this turn. Base to Upwind Leg As your aircraft moves from the downwind leg onto the base leg, the tailwind transforms into a crosswind. Upwind to Crosswind Leg For this leg transition, gently roll into a slight bank.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Airplanes Aileron Rudder 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 28, 2025

When the aircraft encounters a vortex and its strong enough to induce roll, the pilot counters it by using the ailerons against the roll and tries to fly out of the wake as soon as possible. If the aircrafts wingspan is long enough, its ailerons will extend beyond the vortex diameter, and counter control would still be possible.

Turbulence 97

Turbulence Lift Drag Runway 97

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 23, 2025

He corrected to the left, but it wasn’t enough to counter the crosswind, so the plane got no closer to the extended centerline. But the plane was now so slow that the increased angle of attack created by the lowered right aileron caused that wing to stall. In fact, it drifted farther away.

True Airspeed 53

True Airspeed Knot Runway Density Altitude 53

Flying Magazine

APRIL 26, 2024

The small aileron “tabs” were not doing a great job in crosswind ability. Landing was wild, leading to the aircraft’s big wings striking the ground at times in the crosswinds approaching 35 knots. By neutralizing the yoke, I lost the ability to steer and attack whatever crosswind component was evident.

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Weather Knot Aileron 105

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 17, 2025

Another safety element was the interconnected ailerons and rudders. Crosswind landings are remarkably simple, and the inability to cross-control the airplane makes the airplane “spin-resistant” in official terminology, or essentially spin-proof in reality.

Primary Flight Display 40

Primary Flight Display Aileron Crosswind Airplanes 40

Inflight Pilot Training

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

Your instructor will introduce you to the basic components of the aircraft, including the fuselage, wings, ailerons, rudder, elevator, and landing gear. Youll also practice different types of landings, including touch-and-go landings, and begin adjusting for crosswinds and environmental factors that affect landing performance.

Aileron 52

Aileron Approach Visual Flight Rules Rudder 52

Vintage Aviation News

OCTOBER 18, 2024

Although it is sort of heavy on the ailerons,” Storo said. And the ailerons are almost worthless at that point; they’re not doing a whole lot for you at all. I have actually taxied out with a semi-crosswind where I just turned around and came back in because I could not control the airplane with the earlier brakes.

Airplanes 124

Airplanes Crosswind Tail Cockpit 124

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 4, 2024

When I was working on my PPL, I learned crosswind landings proficiently, plenty good enough for the check ride, but we never had an ugly, gusty, strong crosswind landing day. I was telling him how I had just made a whole series of beautiful, one-wheel, crosswind landings. He looked puzzled. Why might that be? Hopefully not.

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Aileron Runway Gross Weight 52

Flight Training Central

MARCH 29, 2024

Quartering tailwind Quartering headwind Direct crosswind Correct! What is the difference between a normal landing and a crosswind landing? Aileron down on the upwind wing Aileron up on the upwind wing Aileron up on the downwind wing Correct! In your logbook (paper or electronic).

Aileron 52

Aileron Crosswind Ground Effect Thrust 52

Flight Training Central

MARCH 4, 2024

As the airplane turns onto the following base leg, the tailwind will decrease and becomes a crosswind. The bank angle should be reduced gradually with coordinated aileron and rudder input. The turn from downwind leg to base leg will be more than 90 degrees to compensate for the increasing crosswind.

Groundspeed 52

Groundspeed Crosswind Aileron Rudder 52

AV Web

DECEMBER 22, 2024

I did not fly through tropical storms, hurricanes, or blizzards; the only inversions I have experienced were voluntary aileron rolls or the occasional intentional spin. My logbook does not include entries about big adventures unless you count various forays into local cookouts, fly-ins, and national parks near grass strip airports.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Hangar Aileron Crosswind 52

Plane and Pilot

MAY 3, 2025

You can see other Weick influences, such as the oil-damped tricycle landing gearall produced Cherokees are trikeswith a wide track to make crosswind landings more manageable. Depressions in the vertical stabilizer and rudder, as well as stabilator skins and ailerons, all help increase panel stiffness while allowing less under-skin structure.

Approach 72

Approach Airplanes Stability Weight-Shift-Control 72

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

On the walkaround, you doubtlessly noted the full-span flaperons (flaps plus ailerons as one unit). You have strong control authority at these low speeds, so slipping into a crosswind or keeping the upwind wing down is not a challenge. Right until liftoff, takeoffs are fairly uneventful.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Knot Pitot Tube Gross Weight 98

Photographic Logbook

MAY 19, 2025

Nevertheless, I was anxious about managing a 15 knot gusty crosswind for my first taildragger stick time in seven years. Despite the crosswind, take-off was perfunctory. I rolled the Decathlon onto the turf on the upwind main wheel, rolled along for a few moments amazed at how stable the landing felt despite the crosswind.

Rudder 89

Rudder Crosswind Airplanes Runway 89

Pilot's Life Blog

JUNE 18, 2025

Crosswind Takeoff and Landing: Handling wind coming from the side is a skill every pilot must master. Slow flight hones fine control at low airspeeds, reinforcing coordination of rudder, aileron, and elevator—critical skills for safe approaches and preventing inadvertent stalls near the ground.

Pilot 52

Pilot Descent Rudder Approach 52

Air

MAY 21, 2025

Crosswind: The Sideways Challenge A crosswind blows across your intended flight path , being most critical during the takeoff and landing phases. Pilots must use specific techniques, applying rudder and aileron inputs, to maintain directional control and keep the aircraft aligned. And it’s unique in Europe!

Crosswind 52

Crosswind Wind Shear Groundspeed Flight Computer 52

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 15, 2025

Near the crosswind to downwind turn, the engine sounded loud, and the airplane descended into a wooded field and a postimpact fire ensued. The right aileron sustained substantial damage. The airplane then descended back to the runway and bounced before lifting off nose-high again toward the end of the runway.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 52

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Airplanes Runway Calibrated Airspeed 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

Out in the practice area, I did some of my favorite beyond-ACS but still normal category exercises—alternating steep turns with full aileron deflection, extended low speed flight, and Dutch rolls to 45-degree bank each way, again with full aileron deflection. Then the CFI gave me a few unusual attitudes, and all was well.

Pitot Tube 85

Pitot Tube Approach Aileron Instrument Landing System 85

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

Once there, he put us in a slight right turn toward our first fuel stop 60 miles ahead, continuously fighting the stick as the gusting left crosswind did its best to push us off course. Wilkins guided the craft along the invisible roller coaster, working to keep the wings level while maintaining a crab as the Cub climbed the first 500 feet.

Runway 98

Runway Crosswind Rudder Pilot 98

Vintage Aviation News

APRIL 25, 2025

The aircraft had to land into a 15-knot crosswind, and the plane landed at a speed of 115 mph, well below the standard landing speed of between 150-175 mph. (Historic Chicago) On September 28, 1992, the Boeing 727 took off from Chicagos OHare International Airport on the short flight to Meigs.

Cockpit 95

Cockpit Pilot Ceiling Rudder 95

Pilot Institute

JULY 12, 2024

Flying the Base Leg All aircraft land into the wind, so the base leg usually involves some crosswind. The crosswind can push you out and mess up your glidepath if you’re not careful. Keep the ailerons into the wind. Landing in a crosswind? Don’t release the crosswind correction if the aircraft balloons or bounces.

Descent 52

Descent Weight-Shift-Control Crosswind Runway 52

Pilot Institute

MAY 9, 2024

We correct for the overbanking tendency with aileron opposite the turn. The aileron on the right wing deflects down, increasing the camber and creating more lift. The left wing’s aileron deflects up, decreasing lift. Keep the overbanking tendency in check with aileron opposite the turn.

Rudder 52

Rudder Lift Aileron Drag 52

Plane and Pilot

JANUARY 23, 2025

Although I consider myself somewhat of a fearless adrenaline junkie, watching the wheel just outside my window touch down on the pavement while the other was still suspended as we leaned into a crosswind got my heart racing a bit. Its a moment to be proud of.

Rudder 98

Rudder Descent Pilot Runway 98

Pilot Institute

MAY 4, 2024

Will you need a crosswind correction? Not Applying Crosswind Controls Directional control becomes difficult when proper technique isn’t applied during crosswind conditions. Use the rudder to keep the aircraft in line with the runway and apply aileron into the wind. Almost every landing is a crosswind landing, after all.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control Runway Density Altitude Descent 52

Pilot Institute

OCTOBER 16, 2024

If there is a crosswind at the airport, you should mention this in your brief. Discuss your nominated crosswind technique. Explain what aircraft input you will require to land the aircraft in the crosswind. For example, the crosswind is from left to right. You will either carry out the side-slip or de-crab technique.

Airplanes 52

Airplanes Descent Approach Final Approach 52

Flight Training Central

DECEMBER 4, 2023

At this time, it should be gently lowered.Maintain directional control and crosswind correction with appropriate rudder aileron input. Maintain back pressure on the yoke to keep the nosewheel off the ground until it can no longer aerodynamically be held off of the field surface.

Approach 52

Approach Ground Effect Final Approach Airplanes 52

Northstar VFR

JULY 21, 2024

A pilot might have to use more aileron inputs, especially if it’s bumpy and the aircraft is getting moved around. When aileron input is added to counteract this, just remember that adverse yaw is in play, so some slight rudder will be needed. This is especially vital during crosswind landings. Just something to be aware of!

Rudder 52

Rudder Airplanes Pilot Stability 52

Plane and Pilot

JUNE 2, 2025

Near the crosswind to downwind turn, the engine sounded loud, and the airplane descended into a wooded field and a post-impact fire ensued. The right aileron sustained substantial damage. The airplane then descended back to the runway and bounced before lifting off nose-high again toward the end of the runway.

Instrument Meteorological Conditions 87

Instrument Meteorological Conditions Airplanes Runway Pilot 87

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 2, 2024

By doing so, a recognizable, firm input demonstrates that using all the aileron travel wasn’t the answer—those rudder pedals are not footrests. Less-than-ideal conditions may mean a shift in lesson plan from a cross-country to an opportunity to perfect crosswind technique. No training block should ever be cast in stone. 1 priority.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Crosswind Ceiling 52

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 2, 2024

By doing so, a recognizable, firm input demonstrates that using all the aileron travel wasn’t the answer—those rudder pedals are not footrests. Less-than-ideal conditions may mean a shift in lesson plan from a cross-country to an opportunity to perfect crosswind technique. No training block should ever be cast in stone. 1 priority.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Crosswind Ceiling 52

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

On the walkaround, you doubtlessly noted the full-span flaperons (flaps plus ailerons as one unit). You have strong control authority at these low speeds, so slipping into a crosswind or keeping the upwind wing down is not a challenge. Right until liftoff, takeoffs are fairly uneventful.

Airplanes 98

Airplanes Knot Pitot Tube Gross Weight 98

Photographic Logbook

FEBRUARY 2, 2025

In the descent, wind direction rotated counterclockwise until it became a direct southerly crosswind. Braking was less effective there than at Alton Bay and, with full aileron into the wind and backpressure on the controls, we coasted to a stop in the final tenth of the runway.

Runway 98

Runway Knot Weather Turbulence 98

Fear of Landing

OCTOBER 4, 2024

The pilot applied some aileron to compensate for the crosswind and then applied full power. .” The pilot taxied to the holding point, checked the skies for any approaching aircraft, and lined up on the runway. They were finally good to go. They accelerated along the runway.

Runway 52

Runway Pilot Knot Weather 52

Pilot Institute

APRIL 12, 2025

Lets break down the main control surfaces and how they use action-reaction: Ailerons Ailerons are flaps placed on the wings trailing edges. They work in opposite pairs: when one aileron goes up, the other goes down. The raised aileron on the right wing deflects airflow upward ( action ). It provides yaw control.

Lift 52

Lift Torque Thrust Aileron 52