Lesson Plan
Takeoffs: Crosswind Takeoffs
Purpose
Crosswind takeoffs require a higher level of skill than normal takeoffs.
The airplane must be flown in a manner so that the control inputs counter the wind flowing across the runway, so that the aircraft maintains longitudinal alignment with the runway's centerline during the ground roll and initial climb.
After the climb is underway, the airplane returns to normal takeoff, with a crab angle used to maintain the runway's extended centerline during climb-out.
Elements
Preflight Briefing
Confirm Takeoff is Possible: Every aircraft has a maximum crosswind component, which is how pilots determine if the airplane they are flying is suitable for takeoff or landing in the current wind conditions.
- If the crosswind component exceeds the aircraft's ability, the aircraft will not have enough rudder authority to maintain the runway centerline.
- Even if the rudder is fully deflected, the airplane will still drift sideways during takeoff and/or landing.
- This can force the airplane to leave the runway and lead to an accident.
Departure
Apply aileron into the crosswind: The technique used during the initial takeoff roll in a crosswind takeoff is generally the same as the technique used in a normal takeoff roll, except that the pilot must apply aileron pressure into the crosswind.
Check windsock and other indicators: While taxiing into takeoff position, it is essential that the pilot check the windsock and other wind direction indicators for the presence of a crosswind.
- If a crosswind is present, the pilot should apply full aileron pressure into the wind while beginning the takeoff roll.
- The pilot should maintain this control position, as the airplane accelerates, until the ailerons become effective.
Raised aileron, downward force: The raised aileron on the upwind wing imposes a downward force on the wing.
- This counteracts the lifting force of the crosswind and prevents the upwind wing from rising.
Drag increases: Since the ailerons and rudder are deflected, drag will increase.
- Less initial takeoff performance should be expected when compared to a normal takeoff.
Use rudder to maintain centerline: While holding aileron pressure into the wind, the pilot should use the rudder to maintain a straight takeoff path.
- Since the airplane tends to weathervane into the wind while on the ground, the pilot will typically apply downwind rudder pressure.
Left-turning vs. right-turning tendency: The airplane may have different dynamics, based on if the crosswind is from the left or the rigtht.
- In a crosswind from the left to the right, left-turning tendency on takeoff may be sufficient to counteract the airplane's tendency to turn into the wind.
- In a crosswind from the right to the left, propeller forces may aggravate left-turning tendency
Use just enough aileron: As the forward speed of the airplane increases, the pilot should only apply enough aileron pressure to keep the airplane laterally aligned with the runway centerline.
- The pilot must maintain some aileron pressure throughout the takeoff roll to keep the crosswind from raising the upwind wing.
Avoid skipping: If the upwind wing rises, the amount of wing surface exposed to the crosswind will increase, which may cause the airplane to "skip."
- Skipping is a series of very small bounces caused by the airplane attempting to fly and then settling back onto the runway.
- As the airplane skips sideways, these bounces develop into side-skipping, which imposes severe side stresses on the landing gear and may result in structural failure
Sideslip into the wind: During a crosswind takeoff roll, it is important that the pilot hold sufficient aileron pressure into the wind not only to keep the upwind wing from rising but to hold that wing down so that the airplane sideslips into the wind enough to counteract drift immediately after lift-off.
Crosswind Lift-Off
Maintain aileron pressure into the wind: As the nose-wheel raises off of the runway, the pilot should hold aileron pressure into the wind.
- The downwind main wheel may lift off the runway first, with the remainder of the takeoff roll being made on that one main wheel.
- This is acceptable and is preferable to side-skipping.
Extend ground-roll in a strong crosswind: If a significant crosswind exists, the pilot should hold the main wheels on the ground slightly longer than in a normal takeoff so that a smooth but very definite lift-off can be made.
- This allows the airplane to leave the ground under more positive control and prevents possible damage that would result from the airplane settling back to the runway while drifting
Crosswind Initial Climb
Up-aileron efficiency increases: As takeoff acceleration occurs, the efficiency of the up-aileron will increase with aircraft speed.
- The yoke, which is initially turned into the wind, can be relaxed to the extent necessary to keep the aircraft aligned with the runway.
Upwind wing remains low: Once airborne, the upwind wing will have a tendency to be lower than the downwind wing.
- Rudder input will be necessary to maintain runway alignment, resulting in a sideslip.
Replace side-slip with crab: As the aircraft establishes a climb, the sideslip should be replaced with a crab to maintain the ground track, with the nose turned into the wind to offset the crosswind.
- Wings are brought to level, and rudder input is adjusted to maintain runway alignment.
The crosswind can change during climb-out: The force of a crosswind may vary within a few hundred feet of the ground.
- The pilot should check the ground track frequently and adjust the wind correction angle as necessary.
Procedure
- Examine windsock for wind direction and velocity
- Windward aileron fully raised while taking runway
- Apply takeoff power
- Gradually reduce aileron input as groundspeed increases
- After liftoff, maintain runway centerline with side-slip
- After clear of runway, transition from forward slip to crab to maintain extended centerline
Common Errors
Common errors in the performance of crosswind takeoffs include:
- Failure to review AFM/POH performance and charts prior to takeoff.
- Failure to adequately clear the area prior to taxiing onto the active runway.
- Using less than full aileron pressure into the wind initially on the takeoff roll.
- Mechanical use of aileron control rather than judging lateral position of airplane on runway from visual clues and applying sufficient aileron to keep airplane centered laterally on runway.
- Side-skipping due to improper aileron application.
- Inadequate rudder control to maintain airplane parallel to centerline and pointed straight ahead in alignment with visual references.
- Excessive aileron input in the latter stage of the takeoff roll resulting in a steep bank into the wind at lift-off.
- Inadequate drift correction after lift-off.
Completion Standards
Private Pilot Airmen Certification Standards (ACS)
- Ipsum id error labore. Eum quas occaecati hic maxime nobis sed.
- Officia numquam odit omnis officia est est iure impedit.
- Cupiditate ipsum dolor quam quaerat iusto nostrum. Assumenda perferendis repellendus quae dolorem sed
- Aspernatur molestiae eos tenetur et perferendis nesciunt.
- Possimus aut non eum dolore similique minima voluptate.
Commercial Pilot & CFI Airmen Certification Standards (ACS)
- Ipsum id error labore. Eum quas occaecati hic maxime nobis sed.
- Officia numquam odit omnis officia est est iure impedit.
- Cupiditate ipsum dolor quam quaerat iusto nostrum. Assumenda perferendis repellendus quae dolorem sed
- Aspernatur molestiae eos tenetur et perferendis nesciunt.
- Possimus aut non eum dolore similique minima voluptate.
More Details
More details are available in the Airplane Flying Handbook
Lesson Plan Checklist
Takeoffs: Crosswind Takeoffs
Preflight Briefing
Departure
Crosswind Lift-Off
Crosswind Initial Climb