On crosswind landings, is side-slip or crab the more often used method on commercials?

Question

I would imagine that almost every one makes a crab, right? Because a side slip would be kind of terrifying for the passengers, with a bank to one side and ruder to the other?!

Answer 1

A sideslip is not terrifying to the passengers.  It's not their call anyway.

Answer 2

crab until just prior to touchdown then kick the nose straight BUT keep the wings level. Don't want to do what just happened in EGCC the other day.

Answer 3

I would think slips. Controlled slips are not that bad. Plus on the bigger planes they handle the wind a lot better. If they crabbed the whole way, it would really stress the gear on landing. They probably crab the approach and slip the final.

Answer 4

actually, as per FAA instruction, it is now the Crab and Slip method.

Crab most of final and transition to slip on short, short final.

some aircraft, such as the 747 cannot slip because their outer engine will hit the runway. in the case of the 747, their landing gear have been strengthened and tested to withstand landings in crosswinds while crabbing.

slipping when controlled and properly executed does not really scare the passengers.

a passenger really needs to see out of both windows to really get the feeling that a wing is lower than the other and might strike the ground.

when a slip is not exaggerated and performed within limits, and when a passenger can only see out of his own window, there is no sensation of "omigod, the wing is really low and might hit the ground"

Answer 5

As others have said, it depends on the aircraft.  Some are designed to land in a crab, like the 737, because the engines might drag if you slip it.  Most aircraft are slip landed.  The B-52 is actually crabbed every time, as it has landing gear that casters.  So, you can land sideways and the tires are still going straight down the runway.  It also has little wheels on the ends of the wings.

Answer 6

yes. Pilots use crabbing. In rare cases a pilot might use a slide slip, but that might give a passenger a heart attack!