ORIGINAL: WestCoastFlyer
After reading most of these posts, HarryC in my opinion has it right.
I practice using rudder only in normal flight with my sport planes. Practicing rudder only is not the most fun in the world, it's like being forced to practice the piano as a kid. I mention using the rudder because I don't use it on crosswind landings.
I love flying in the wind and I love crosswind landings. 20 MPH is my max. 20 MPH is a hefty smack in the face. On approach (unless my fingers do it subconsciously) in a crosswind I use ailerons only. The airplane crabs in. I DO NOT use rudder. I am conscious of using rudder right at touchdown and rolling out.
I've experimented using rudder on approach and I nearly crash every time.
My question is why is no one mentioning the use of aileron AND rudder in the landing flare? Using a crab is probably the best way to land an RC model in a crosswind but it is not the only method. There is also the method of using cross controls and a form of slipping to maintain centerline. That method is difficult to master in full scale flying and even more so with RC planes. But because it is diffacult does not mean it is wrong. I think the general concentious here is to use the crab method.
To clarify I
do not advocate using rudder to maintain a crab. Small corrinated turns with ailerons will help establish crab andgle and ground track on final. Once in the flare the rudder comes into play to align the nose with the runway along with some opposite aileron to keep the wing from rising. If the wind is light it will take very little aileron but it is something to be contious of when landing.