Crosswind confusion How has something so simple become so confused? Crab with a kick, or slip? It doesn't matter. When the wind is blowing the end is always the same (unless you are a lucky duck with castering mains). Pilots make crosswind landings more complicated than they need to be. The goal in defeating crosswinds is the same as on normal landings. You must keep the nose straight and stay on the centerline. With no wind we can get away with being lazy. But crosswinds expose our lousy technique. Say it with me: Keep the nose straight with rudder and stay on the centerline with aileron. It's not so much a technique as it is a mantra. Yes, it's one more variable to manage during a landing, but with an hour of hard practice most pilots easily pick it up. You just need an instructor eager to teach you. Most important, be disciplined. Employ the technique in all crosswinds, even those that look tame. -IJT Approach Roundout Flare 3-degree final approach path (exaggerated for clarity) Coordinate ailerons + rudder Except when slipping for altitude loss or a crosswind correction, aileron and rudder should always be coordinated. aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 79http://www.aopa.org/pilot