MaxFledglingFacts: A Primer; Cross/Quartering Wind Perfect Landings! (Revised Video Added)

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MaxSez: “Know your airframe and Be Self Confident First”! Now let’s talk CROSS/QUARTERING WIND LANDINGS;

  • PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE: Confidence in crosswind landings will come only through repetition. Take advantage of a windy day and go up to get as comfortable with quartering/crosswinds as you are with headwinds.
  • KEEP YOUR SPEED UP: Carry a few extra knots on final to ensure that you maintain full control authority throughout the landing.
  • DON’T STOP FLYING THE AIRPLANE: Once you are on the ground, you need to continue to fly the airplane until you have parked the airplane. Utilize proper flight control inputs on the ground to prevent a loss of control. (Rudder Brake to Taxi. The Brake Button is not just a parking brake)
  • GET LINED UP EARLY: You may have heard the old aviation adage “A great landing starts 10 miles out.” What that really means is that a great landing usually follows a great approach. (A touchdown is 2 steps a “RoundOut” then “Flare”!
  • USE PARTIAL FLAPS: In a crosswind or gusty situation, full-flap landings can be more trouble than they’re worth. This is because fully extended flaps present a larger surface area for that crosswind to affect, blowing you around. Flaps catch the wind just like a kite. Remember however – when using partial or no flap use a higher approach speed, and expect a longer landing roll (for exact figures please reference your POH).
  • STAY ON THE CENTERLINE: Don’t let the airplane drift. If you cannot maintain centerline alignment, immediately go around.
  • LEARN TO BE AMBIDEXTROUS: Don’t get used to doing quartering/crosswind landings with the wind coming from just one side. If you can safely practice making landings with the wind coming from left as well as right (or vice versa), then do so.
  • KNOW YOUR AIRCRAFTS MAX CROSSWIND COMPONENT: Know this BEFORE you take-off. If your intended airport for landing exceeds your max crosswind component either pick a new airport, or pick a different day. (A Red Runway is not “Closed” it’s winds/visibility conflicted)

(Tips:

  1. “Crab & Slip”, understand the principle first then fly them during practice. (See Tutorials or UTube)
  2. It takes coordinated “Ailerons & Rudder” not Rudder alone Control input in cross and quartering wind conditions. (See UTube)
  3. “Windward Wing Tip Down” in cross and quartering wind conditions, coordinated Yoke/Rudder Peddle deflection based on wind direction/speed.(See UTube)

Just Sayin; Flying “Short Approach/Finals, no matter the wind conditions in an airliner are for Amateurs”…
MaxSends
Revised VideoAdded;

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Would you go around if you are off center but still facing forward (so you won’t go off the runway)? I never go around for something like that (my hands are so shaky like 80% of my approaches would be considered unstabilized IRL)

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@xsrvmy… MaxSez: the operative words are “cannot maintain”!
(Shakey Hands= lack of confidence! Fly the Da## Plane with confidence or practice titill you do!,)
MaxSends

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