cfircav8r, I think this is where the split in opinion is happening. I am of the opinion that the cross wind is the outside force and the applied rudder is to null the effects of flying in a drifting section of air. Remember the goal is maintain ground track. So essentially the guys are correct in that the airplane is constantly turning but at the same rate as the air is moving. kinda like walking the wrong direction on an escalator at the same speed the escalator is running. Sorry best example I could think of at the moment.