Crosswind landing technique

[mocaman]

I was wondering if you guys start correcting for a crosswind landing early on final? Or if you just let the plane crab and then when on short final put the correction in? I would really like to hear what you guys that fly jets do. Thanks for the input. Merry Christmas

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

I usually establish a crab on final, wings level obviously and just set a heading that keeps me down centerline, a few seconds before entering ground effect, and when i start to retard my power i usually stick the aileron into the wind, apply opposite rudder and hope i get a greaser.....

so....about 2 or 3 secs before i hit ground effect ill reconfigure.

 

[Tim47SIP]

Size matters

Also depends on the size of the aircraft. Some respond faster than others. In the ATR72 for example, you want to get the proper configuration prior to short-short final becasue it takes a couple of seconds to respond. In the smaller aircraft, depending on the pilots abilities, it may be necessary to slip the aircraft early on so he knows the inputs are correct. You dont know how many times I have seen pilots put the oposite corection in. Aditionally, in gusty conditions, it is better to have some of the correction in early on as it is easier to recover from a gust with the upwind wing already in a lower position. Techniques all depend on the situation.

 

[Draginass]

In heavies, I apply crosswind controls usually crossing the threshold, if done earlier, you may need bump of power to compensate for rudder drag. Some guys are coordinated enough to set the landing attitude (flare) and de-crab at the same time. In light airplanes flaring and de-crabbing at the same time is easy,

 

[TurboS7]

The"Delta dip" works good.

 

[CL60]

No pods

2 techniques

Out of a crab and over threshold... level, straight, dip, flare... (I don't use this one anymore because it can be uncomfortable for pax in the rear of the aircraft).


Establish adequate cross control on about 1/4 mile final maintaining the a/c longitudinal axis along the centerline. Touchdown on upwind main.

See this site for demonstrated... "techniques."

http://www.aviationpics.de/app/app.htm

 

[CL60]

Wing pods

Even better...

http://www.aviationpics.de/mov/civ/civ.htm

 

[Dieterly]

In the the 74, I used to "de-crab" in the flare, unless it was a strong x-wind, then I just touched down with the "crab" (due to possible pod strike)

 

[i'mbatman]

Isn't it really bad for the gear stress-wise to land in a crab?? Especially a heavy???

 

[DLF8108]

X-wind Landing

Concur with Draginass & Lrjtcaptain

Crosswind coupled with low ceiling/vis requires maintaining the crab until near the threshold/flare (when you have adequate visual references to see the runway), then straighten the nose & maintain wings level (SLIGHT wing low into the wind is OK).

Techniques can be "AIRFRAME SPECIFIC"...

Some AFMs (e.g. the KC-135) PROHIBIT landing in a crab due to the tendency of the upwind wing to rise rapidly...followed by the downwind engine pod(s) striking the runway...similarly: more than a SLIGHT wing low on the upwind side can contact a wing mounted engine pod.

DLF8108

 

[dogg]

Ground effect and then de-crab. That is how every single auto-land is performed. All Boeing airplanes are designed to land in a crab. Getting yourself all wrapped up and cross controled 1/4 to 1/2 mile out on final is just going to mess you up. That is little airplane stuff and works great but you dont want to do it in a big airplane. Also remember that the mains are not inline with you in a crab so dont put the centerline lights between your legs or you might plant the mains in the runway lights..............

 

[TurboS7]

Land in a crab. If you are landing on a really slick runway with a stiff crosswind. First get the aircraft on the ground in the crab, once the wheels are spun up and and spoilers are coming up put airleron into the wind straighten the longitional axis out with opposite rudder and get the nose on the ground. Next get the reversers on, with a 738 this can seem like forever. On a dry runway if you can get a wing down and longitional axis straight during ground effect the pax won't feel the sideloads. Boeing has designed the airplane to land in a crab, I don't know about Airbuss. 747, for sure land crabbed, it is designed for it along with the C-5A.

 

[CL60]

i'mbatman,

On most heavies with the possibility of pod strike, the trucks swivel... up to 45% on some.

 

[501261]

My technique is guaranteed to work!!!!

CLOSE YOUR EYES!!!!!!!

Hasn’t failed yet!

 

[Craven Morehead]

Earlier is better: On takeoff, after the gear is up, I apply the crosswind correction (wing down, top rudder) for landing, based on forecast winds, and hold the correction for the rest of the flight. I end up getting kind of tired and burning up a lot of gas, but it pays off because I don't have to worry about it on the approach. Unless the winds have changed, of course.

 

[mar]

Interesting technique!

That sure is interesting Mr. Morehead. I bet you just go RNAV Direct everywhere too--just to make up for the increased fuel burn, I mean.

Those crossed controls must make it difficult to keep the coffee in your cup though--that's *coffee cup*.

For the youngsters out there: Don't try this in your dad's airplane...

 

[Craven Morehead]

Mar,
Thanks for the "rnav direct" idea: that'll save me enough gas to leave the gear down the whole flight--I won't have to mess with it on the approach!