Don't underestimate the effect of tailwinds--no matter how small--on either takeoff or landing. Not only do they cause an airplane to use more runway in both situations, but on takeoff they'll also flatten the climb angle, which may hamper your aircraft's ability to clear obstacles. In addition, a quartering tailwind makes a tailwheel airplane difficult to control. If landing runway length is even remotely a factor, as little as two knots on the tail can take away your margin, so landing on, or near, the numbers (at the beginning of the runway) becomes critical. The best remedy is to avoid takeoffs or landings in tailwinds of any kind.
The most commonly taught crosswind landing technique is the cross-control, or wing-low landing. The pilot slips the airplane to the runway with just enough cross control to keep the aircraft aligned with the centerline. Remember that
the ailerons control the airplane's lateral movement. Use them to counteract the downwind drift caused by the crosswind and put the airplane on the runway centerline. Use the rudder to align the airplane's longitudinal axis with the runway centerline -- keep the nose pointed straight down the runway. (The pilot transitions from a "crab" to a "slip" right above the runway so the airplane will land straight down the runway - to not land on the gear while going sideways.)
Remember that all control forces will change during the transition from final approach to the end of the roll out. Wind direction and speed often change with altitude, and the control deflections required to maneuver the aircraft will increase as the aircraft's speed decreases. In general, you'll need to increase the aileron and rudder deflection as the aircraft speed decreases. Don't release your control inputs once the wheels are on the runway. The wind still affects the airplane, and you need to use the appropriate control inputs all the way to the tie down.Would you like an illustration? Here is a video of a large Lufthansa jet landing with a major crosswind. Watch how much the airplane is "crabbing." It almost looks like it should be flying to your left, but it is coming straight towards you. Then at the last minute the pilot tries to slip - but the wind is so strong that it exceeds the maximum crosswind component for the airplane. The wingtip even touches the ground! http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080303/ap_on_re_eu/germany_rough_landing
I always enjoy watching those YouTube videos of amazing crosswind landings. Nice post!
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