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Old 07-23-2010 | 02:45 AM
  #38  
HarryC
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Default RE: Rudder question

ORIGINAL: BaldEagel

landing in a cross wind is rudder the nose into wind, opposite aileron to keep the wings level
Which is why I asked the question earlier as I know many model fliers completely misunderstand the rudder and crosswinds, and do the wrong thing. And what you have said there is completely the wrong thing, you do not rudder into wind. In fact what you have described with wings level is not even a sideslip. Holding on rudder while keeping the wings level will give you a control-line turn, not a straight flight. A sideslip approach is to bank with ailerons into wind, then use rudder away from the wind to stop the plane turning. So a sideslip approach uses rudder away from, not into, the wind.
Harry

PS. I never recommend a sideslip approach. You don't sideslip any other part of the flight when it is "crosswind" so why do it on the approach? Just fly the approach the same way you would fly a pass along the runway in a cross wind - turn the plane in the normal manner ever so slightly into wind. That way all the control are at neutral, you are not having to hold on crossed rudder and aileron, it is much easier to judge, much easier to cope with gusts, and you are not putting the plane into pro-spin controls of slow speed and applied rudder. All you need to do is apply a dab of rudder away from the wind at the point of touching down in order to yaw the plane back onto the runway heading.