Expert: Colin Woehrle - 4/5/2004

Question
I recently received my private pilot's license while I was stationed in California.  Most of the time the winds were off the ocean and there was not much in the way of strong crosswinds.  I just returned to Indiana and when going on a checkride (Cessna 172) over the weekend I had problems landing in the strong crosswind & gusts.  All was going well leading to landing.  I crabbed coming in on final perfectly but straightening out over just before the theshold things got dicy - two go arounds and third time worked.  What do you suggest?

Answer
Hi Karl,

Okay, do what you've been doing with the crab but after taking the crab angle out transition into what is called a "side slip." This entails aligning the longitudinal axis of the airplane (tail to nose) with the runway centerline and then using the ailerons to roll a bit in the direction of the crosswind. The airplane will want to turn in the direction you are banking so use some opposite rudder to combat this. If done right you will remain aligned with the runway centerline and should ideally touch down first on the landing gear that's on the side of the crosswind and then as airspeed decreases, on the other gear.

So lets say you had a crosswind to your left. You would transition from a crab to a sideslip. Align the airplane with the centerline of the runway and roll the airplane to the left, then use right rudder as required to keep from turning left. It may feel funny the first few time but it works. I think it's called the "wing low" method of landing with a crosswind if you were to look it up in the Airplane Flying Handbook.   

Let me know if you need more clarification.
Thanks for the question,
Colin