Crosswind landings

[Ben]

I have been having a hard time with my landings latly, my landings where good but for some reason they went sour? Could it be because I am over thinking it or not trying hard enough? Its mostly with crosswinds.. tommorrow Im ganna take 7cm and work on landings.. Ideas to try?

[Deb]

Had the same problem. Dave recommended an article in the aopa magazine. It was very nformative and helped me understand the process a little better. I still struggle sometimes and tend to be very conservative with crosswind flying decisions. Sometimes I do think we try too hard.

You can veiw the article here: flighttraining.aopa.org/magazine/2010/January/201001_Instructor_Report_Crosswinds.html

[G.Angel]

Practice, practice, practice! Line up with and track the runway in a crab position, stay lined up with your track, constantly compensating for gusts, stay on the controls. Seconds before touchdown , rudders to correct for crab position and ailerons to stay lined up with the runway, only partial flaps with heavy crosswind action. Once on the ground, use control surfaces to deflect wind and keep your plane on the ground (obviously varies with wind direction) think ahead of the wind. It comes natural the more you do it, like everything else! Once you start to feel comfortable with it, it can feel very rewarding to accomplish it ;D. My personal extreme crosswind was gusting to 28, really with small single engine, thats plenty and a rough flight anyway. Only do it if you have to. It is always rougher on the airframe, take care of your plane and it will take care of you!! :-)

[corbin]

I always establish a crab angle before touchdown. Seconds before landing I kick the crab out and position the upwind aileron into the wind. I stayed relaxed keep the aileron in and flare just as a normal landing. Keep the plane tracking centerline with rudder and you should be good. Hope this helps.