Page 31 - PDF-Sample

Chapter-11 Crosswinds and Slips-V20_Sport Pilot Handbook 8/30/2021 4:37 PM Page 8

11-8 Rod Machado’s How to Fly an Airplane Handbook

It should be clear that a sideslip A Touching Down On
will result in the airplane touching Touch down on The Upwind Wheel
upwind wheel
down on one wheel (the upwind during sideslip
wheel), which is perfectly fine
(Figure 9, position A). As soon
as the upwind wheel touches
down, the downwind wheel will
tend to lower itself to the run-
way as the airplane loses momen-
tum. Use your aileron control to
keep the downwind wheel from
slamming onto the ground (Figure
9, position B). After the upwind B
Further deflect
wheel makes contact with the aileron to gently
runway and the downwind lower downwind
wheel begins to settle toward wheel to runway
the runway, be prepared to de-
flect the aileron a bit more into
the wind—in the same direc-
tion you’re already applying
it—to ensure a gentle lowering
of the downwind wheel onto the
runway (Figure 9, position B).
During this entire process, you’re
continuing the flare while keeping C
the nose pointed straight down Don’t let nose
wheel touch
the runway with the rudder ped- down before
als (Figure 9, position C). downwind wheel
is on runway
As soon as both tires are on
the ground, continue deflecting
the aileron control into the
wind to keep that upwind wing
from rising. If you used right
(or left) aileron deflection dur-
ing the sideslip, then you’ll use
right (or left) aileron deflection to
keep the upwind wing from rising D
during the touchdown and subse- Lower nose wheel to
runway and further
quent ground roll. Think about deflect the aileron for
it for a second and you will real- crosswind correction*
ize that his is exactly the ma-
neuver you learned to use while
taxiing the airplane in a cross-
wind. You’ve come full circle.
Fig. 9
Since the airplane has slowed
and is continuing to decelerate,
feel free to fully deflect the con-
trol wheel into wind to keep the * If necessary.