Crosswind Landings: Know Your Limits
Crosswind skills fade – be honest about your limits, watch for changing winds at NZPP, use rudder and aileron correctly, and go around if it doesn't look right.
1 min readKapiti Aero Club safety team
In spring, crosswinds at NZPP start to pick up – a good time for everyone to think about their own crosswind limits and proficiency.
Crosswind skills, like any other flying skill, deteriorate if we don't use them regularly. Being comfortable with crosswinds a few months ago doesn't necessarily mean you'll be just as comfortable now. Be honest with yourself about your current limits before you find yourself in conditions you're not comfortable with.
It's also important to keep an eye on how the weather changes during your flight. Conditions at NZPP can change quickly – you could take off in light winds and return 20 minutes later to something very different.
Set your own personal limits and stick to them. If you're not feeling confident in crosswinds, chat to an instructor about booking a dual flight and get some practice in.
Crosswind landing technique
- Use rudder to keep the nose straight with the runway.
- Use aileron to maintain the centreline and allow the upwind main wheel to touch down first.
- Once all three wheels are on the ground, keep aileron into wind and maintain control throughout the rollout.
And remember, there's nothing wrong with going around. If the approach or landing doesn't look right, go around and have another go.