RE: Crosswind Landing
 

Some planes with very long low wings, e.g. a glider, can't necessarily be slipped in because there is not enough clearance. One would have to crab it in. It's good to be comfortable doing it both ways.

RE: Crosswind Landing
 

Just wondering, Why would you really need to do a glider like that? I think you could land them into that wind ebcause you don't use a runway

RE: Crosswind Landing
 

newb,

In full scale flying as well as flying R/C, especially in a club, there are runways that should be used. In full scale an off runway landing will warrant a visit from the FAA and possibly having you license suspened.

In my club you are required to land on the runway under "normal circumstances" unless it's an emergency, initentionally landing any other way will get you a good butt chewing from the safety officer the first time, suspended from flying at the fields for 15 days the second time and removal from the club for the third offense.

Landing accross the runway to make up for a cross wind shows a lack of proper training and skill and is dangerous especially if you are pointing towards the pits.

Flying a glider takes allot of skill because the first landing approach is your only landing approach and timing it is everything. The Space Shuttle is just a huge glider...

'nough said

RE: Crosswind Landing
 

Thanks bubba, I knew bout full scale, but with gliders i just thought u could beely land them in the grass away from the runway

RE: Crosswind Landing
 

When I finally learned how to use rudder on landing, it opened up a whole new dimension to my flying, and a very fun one, I must add. You need to practice it.

RE: Crosswind Landing
 

Well, it took me a long long time to learn to land in a slip. In fact, I never got the hang of it until I took flying lessons. The lessons were in a tail dragger, a Decathlon.

Although landing in a slip is the preffered method in my opinion, I don't recommend it to beginners. And trike gear planes can be landed just fine in a crab. I don't see many peple landing thier planes in a slip. Many people consider it a black art. Holding left rudder and right aileron can be tricky at first. I would suggest just shooting the approach down to the threshold and then missing. Go around and do it again and again. Don't attempt to touch down in the slip at first. But when you do, you still need to hold what you had in the air. You let go when the tail wheel starts to bite.

You can play around with slipping without landing. It is a great way to loose altitude quickly while keeping your airspeed down as well. Just start your approach several times higher than normal. Bank into the crosswind, then add opposite rudder. You can freeze one hand or the other. Heck, you can have the rudder to the stops and just work the aileron. You will be amazed how the plane descends without speeding up. Its great when playing chase. You can drop down and land breifly without a persuer realizing you intend to land.

But don't go out to the field and say to yourself," I am going to land in a slip today". It is something that you must work up to and it takes a long long time. But it is fun. And it does give a sense of satisfaction knowing you can. Suddenly Piper Cubs and crosswinds are something that go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly. Just don't rush it !