Crosswind circuit CIRCUIT TRAINING

Objectives Air exercise

• To correctly position the aeroplane controls while taxiing. Take-off
• To compensate for drift throughout the circuit. • Line-up, adjust reference point for drift • Lift off at slightly higher speed than normal
• To take-off and land in crosswind conditions. • Ailerons fully into wind, elevator neutral • After lift-off make a gentle balanced turn into wind
• During take-off roll reduce aileron to neutral by rotate point

Considerations Circuit Landing

On the ground On landing
• Aeroplane has tendency to • As crosswind increases amount of
weathercock into wind flap used decreases – to improve
• Position controls to compensate directional control
for wind • More airspeed needed if gusty
conditions
On take -off • Need to consider overall suitability of
• Allow for drift to track along the
runway in crosswind conditions
runway centreline
Maximum demonstrated
In the circuit crosswind
• Allow for drift and headwind/tailwind • In Flight Manual
on each leg • Limited by ability of rudder and
• Base leg will be affected the most
aileron to control aeroplane
• For this aeroplane is
Climb-out • Combination of kick straight and wing down methods
• Wings level, in balance Kick-straight
• Adjust heading to track extended centreline • Crab into wind
Crosswind • Just before touchdown, kick straight, aileron to keep wings level
• Reference heading allows for drift Wing-down
• Expect some headwind or tailwind • From short final
Downwind • Wing held down, rudder to keep aligned
• Allow for wind on downwind turn with centreline – sideslip
• Track parallel to runway • Land on into wind wheel first
• Assess runway and decide on Combination
speeds and flap setting to use • Crab into wind on final
Wind
• Check downwind spacing • During round-out switch to wing
Base down method Wind
• Allow for drift and • Aileron to stay aligned with centreline,
kts headwind or tailwind rudder to stay straight
• Extend all the landing flap • Into wind wheel touches down first

Calculating crosswind component • Anticipate turn onto final

• Need W/V from TAF or METAR Flight Manual graph Final
• Convert the direction to magnetic – Nav computer • Track extended

apply variation Windsock centreline

• Vector diagram Tower • Power controls rate

• Need pencil, paper, ruler and

Formula of descent
• Angular difference between wind
protractor
and RWY
Plot on watch face
210° M

Crosswind
• Percentage of distance around
watch face x wind strength = X/W
component

10 kts Wind 240/20

component
• 30° = half wind strength,
Wind vector
20 knots 60° = full wind strength

17.3 kts 11 12 1
2
Airmanship Aeroplane management Human factors
10
30°
Headwind
component 9 3
• Making the calculations improves SA • Control position on ground wrt wind • Assessing runway suitability
8 4 • Max crosswind is a recommendation, • May need to use brakes improved ADM
7 5
6 but may be other limits
Runway 21

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand Flight Instructor Guide