You are probably asking yourself, what the hell is this guy talking about?...Well it's simple. I went flying yesterday after work. Circuits once again in crosswind conditions...
The angle wasn't that bad (10 degrees off the active runway) but the wind was around 12-15 kts. A couple of times I landed a bit off the centerline...and the instructor kept telling me...aim for the centerline...
I thought, what a hell? I'm aiming at the centerline. The issue? Well, I tried to aim the center of the plane and align with the center line on the runway -WRONG-
Aim the centerline at your butt. If you are aligned with the center line of the runway there is a good chance that is exactly where you will end up...aiming with center of the plane (longitudinal axis) will surely get you just off the center...
Some other tips:
Rudder control - use the rudder to control your turns, right rudder at takeoff to keep the plane on the centerline and rudder to slip in a cross wind landing...let it crab into the wind (the plane is headed towards the wind, the the actual path of the plane is toward the runway)
Smooth flight - don't go for drastic altitude/attitude changes on the final base turn. Gentle control, use of flaps and let the plane glide gently. I find every instructor is a bit different, some are very particular about getting the 65 KIAS as soon as you can to get to best glide speed but this may can to be done in a more delicate manner...change flaps to 10 degrees when below 100KIAS, keep the altitude of the circuit hight, then when you get to 80KIAS turn to base and change flaps to 20 degrees but don't pull the controls towards you to keep the altitude but rather let the plane settle a little. If you think about it, the 20 degree flaps will already have a nose up effect on the attitude therefore it will most likely help to gently push the controls forward. Then trip for 65+....It worked well. Most of the descent was also with some power of 1500 RPM at base leg, then dependent on the position of the plane in relation to the runway.
Flare - on the flare, make sure your eyes are further out to help you gage the distance correctly. If you focus on the spot too close to the threshold you are risking the flare to start too late.
Call outs - when taking off remember to do "the go-no- go checks" that include
- Advance the throttle to take-off power;
- Take-off power has been achieved;
- Rotate at the recommended airspeed (55KIAS)
Going again this Thursday. Solo time coming up.
Nice video of crabbing - look at the angle of the nose to the centerline and then nice rudder control just before touchdown. Nice landing!
Click here to watch
P.S. The above speeds are all for Cessna 172R if you were wondering-:)
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