What method do you use to land in a cross wind?

When I flew real planes I learned to use rudder to keep nose of aircraft pointed down the run way and use ailerons to offset wind (windward side down). But I am finding it easier in the sim to fly so the plane is crabbing into the wind until I just get to touchdown point then kick the rear around so that it is straight and upward wind wing tip down so I don't slide across the runway (does this make any since?).... So how do you do it? Which is the proper way with an RC Model?

Thanks

Proper way? it's whatever works for you....with that... this is what I try and do...line up on the up wind side of the runway...let the crosswind push the aircraft toward center and just before touchdown "kick" out the crab.....

Jetmech05 you hit the nail right on the head. I do the same exact thing. I was also taught that you go on the wind side of the runway and use your rudder to crab you over. I try not to use the aileron except to keep the plane level. With that being said I also have shortened my approach to the runway. I have seen a lot of peoples approach way out there and that just increases more chances of messing up IMHO. The less you have to make adjustments the better off you are.

I have only been flying 2 years now and I very rarely miss hitting the center of the runway. Please don't think I am bragging I am just saying that the training I received helped me to be able to do that.

Have fun flying.

I tend to fly crosswind landing with a model like I do full scale – let the plane crab into the wind and just before touch-down drop the up-wind wing and kick in the rudder to keep it straight.

Hogflyer

I just have to laugh here..

EVERY single landing thread i have read here reads like this, but when I asked a while back about rudder use instead of ailerons during landings i was told that is a good way tip stall and snap your plane in and that beginners should not do his!

Now, I personally still do use a bit of rudder , ailerons to keep her level, but I tend to do what feels right and accept the I told you so's when I go against advice and I crash...

I think the general suggestion for beginners not to slip or crab landings (using rudder) is that their inexperience can get them into trouble, not to mention most trainers with rudder->aileron coupling from the dihedral are not exactly slip friendly for a beginner. From my personal observations, I think the vast majority of 3rd+ plane pilots cannot slip or crab a landing if they had too. This is unfortunate as the skill level may be present, but the process was never taught or learned. From my personal experience, being able to dump speed and/or deal with cross winds on landing approaches is a VERY useful skill on more advanced planes. A freshly soloed pilot with a dihedral high wing trainer may not be the best combination for learning these skills, but a soloed pilot on their 2nd/3rd plane I think should take steps to learn these skills.

Now THIS makessense to me.

Both fortunately and unfortunately, I have already incorporated rudder use into my flying and landing. I'm still learning the rudder, but it comes in REAL handy at times so I decided to just do it.

Landings not so much, but I have tried off and on to use it. My trouble there is since I fly a high wing trainer with 3"+ of dihedral the rudder causes a roll effect i have to fight with hte ailerons. That coordination is still in the leaning process.

The "slip" technique is an advanced technique. Its very easy to become confused. And since the plane is very close to the ground and there is so little time to recognize and correct an inadvertant imput, I would advize new pilots to use the crab technique (which feels more natural).

How about use the crosswind runway Or the auto landing system; call the one guy over that knows everything at your field and hand him the Tx

Lot of very good onfo here. I would also tell new pilots to use the crab technique. Very simple and they shouldn't get confused on Tx inputs.

I tend to keep the windward side of the wing slightly low and alingn the runway with the rudder.

Or just knife-edge drop in and level out at the last second and then blip the rudder into line with a burst of throttle before settling the tail down with a tad ud up elevator and using a tad of aileron to still keep the windward tip below the leeward until speed is bled off and the wheels stick. ;-)

Crosswind with the nexstar.... forget it, I hated it. But my minnow was easy. It cut through the air nice. I learned from the get go rudder and opposite aileron to keep the plane level. Its tough at first but it really pays off.

Personally, I set-up for a crosswind landing the same as I do for a head-wind, or no-wind landing and make minor corrections as I approach.

Jr

I am a former full scale pilot and will admit that I am not very successful with models using the crab or bank technique. My models are just too slow and too subject to small changes in the wind. I usually do the following: crab in on final with my flight path aligned with the windward side of the runway and then at 4 or 6 feet a.g.l. turn into the wind and touch down heading into the wind. Our runway is quite wide and this works well for me.

JPMacG
That reminds me of the cartoon...the Capt. says look how short this runway is...the COJO replies yes sir but look how wide it is
Good Flyin

that was funny, I flew full scale, i was in a DA20, me and my insturtor was doing touch and goes at a airport and i asked him what happend if we had a flaps falure and so he pull the circult breaker for flaps while they were in cruise , he told me that we will do what the pilots of older planes have to do like a j-3 cub, i haved crabed and slipped before but not like this, we had the yolk almost all the way left and using right rudder, that was so cool and then leveled out and kicked the rudder just before touch down.