What are the effects of a crosswind on landing?

The effects of crosswinds during landing are critical for maintaining control of the aircraft and ensuring a safe touchdown. Crosswinds require pilots to make specific adjustments to their approach and landing techniques to remain aligned with the runway centerline. In a crosswind, the aircraft tends to drift away from its intended path due to the wind forces acting on the wings and fuselage. To counteract this, pilots may need to implement a technique called "crabbing," where they angle the aircraft into the wind during the approach, followed by a sideslip maneuver just before touchdown to align the aircraft’s wheels with the runway.

If these adjustments are not made, the aircraft can easily end up off centerline, which can lead to a difficult and potentially unsafe landing. Thus, effective management of crosswinds is essential for successful landings, and recognizing the need to make these adjustments is a fundamental part of pilot training.