Which is better, to land with a cross-wind to the left or right, and why?

Question

Which is better, to land with a cross-wind to the left or right, and why?

Answer 1

There's no real difference, however, if you're using the side-slip method (upwind wing down, opposite rudder), it's conceivable that a right crosswind MIGHT be more favorable, depending on the aircraft you're in.  When you side slip an airplane, the indicated airspeed can change due to the fact that the pitot tube is no longer faced directly into the relative wind due to the angle you're flying. Assuming the pitot head is under the left wing, a left crosswind would require having the nose left of centerline, which can result in the forward fuselage further disturbing the airflow to the pitot, further affecting the indicated airspeed.

That's a MIGHT answer; in reality, it doesn't really matter and the effect on indicated airspeed in really negligible, so long as you're not tied to the airspeed indicator for knowing if you're at the proper speed and teetering and not teetering on the edge of a stall to begin with, you wouldn't be all that affected by it.

Answer 2

Neither.  If you have a preference, you don't have enough experience.

Answer 3

With my Kitfox taildragger, I'd rather land with a cross-wind from the left. That is because when side-slipping with the left wing down, I have a better view of the runway when seating on the left sea.

Answer 4

It doesn't really matter for a single-engined airplane if you're using the sideslip method, which is recommended for most light GA aircraft.  If you're using a crab to fly the approach, it's slightly preferable to have a crosswind from the right if you're flying from the left seat, since the crab angle will give you a little better runway visibility.  It's really not a big deal though either way.  Technique is still the same with a left or right crosswind.

In a twin-engine airplane, it is important if an engine fails.  If your left engine fails, then you'd like to have a crosswind blowing to the right to help counteract the yawing moment caused by the failed engine.

Answer 5

technically it shouldn't matter while you are on Final which way the wind is coming from as long as its not behind you. However it would effect you during down wind pretty dramatically depending on wind speed. If you have a crosswind coming from the left on final then on a right down wind you will be pushed towards the runway and possible s***w up the base and final leg. If you have a cross wind coming from the right on final then during downwind you will be pushed away from the run way, this will give you better reaction time to correct the problem but can push you out of the airport airspace completely or to far away to make an emergency landing. Your thoughts?

Answer 6

its better to land into the wind(blowing directly from front or away the wind directly from back) not cross wind

Answer 7

I always prefer a left cross wind to a right cross wind. Why?..........

d**n I don't know, just feels better.

Mark, my preference means I don't have enough experience. hahahahahahaha. Man I love this place.

And solarian...... here's another thumbs down. You're thinking less anti torque I'll bet but "American" helicopters, depending on the manufacturer, build helicopters whose rotors rotate in either direction. Yeah, left pedal required more power in the UH1 I flew in Vietnam. But in a Robinson left pedal means you roll off throttle. And by now there has to be more Robinsons than any other light helicopter in America.

Answer 8

neither are better, and if you're experienced, neither should present any difficulty or particular ease except for the fact that the proper wind can allow you to see better out of the cockpit.

for single engined prop planes, the propeller torque would like to put the aircraft in a left bank, so i guess a crosswind coming from the left could be better.

multiple engined props don't really care because the pilot has a extra option of adjusting thrust and each engine independently to keep on runway centerline in addition to slipping or crabbing. if an engine fails, it could help if the crosswind is coming from the side of the failed engine. The wind could help you maintain control.

jet aircraft couldn't care less, they can independently control thrust in addition to the usual and there is no torque to speak of and a lot of power available. (although they do take longer to respond to throttle inputs)

Answer 9

Yet another opinion. In an airplane with a center stick, it might be easier if the xwind is from the left, since slipping to the left means going the "strong" direction with your right arm and right foot, assuming you're right handed.

Answer 10

in an American helicopter, given everything else being even, you want them from the left.  This reduces your power requirements......and a lot of power margin is never a bad thing

Sorry John B, but the American convention in helicopter design has nothing to do with the country that actually built it.  When other places like the Soviet empire were building clockwise rotating main rotor systems, America focused almost exclusively on counter-clockwise rotating systems.  Italy, the UK, and Japan started with primarily American designs and continued for the most part with counter-clockwise rotation.  Now there are many different manufacturers of helicopters, and many designs too.  There are popular (very popular in the case of the r22 and 44) helicopters following the European convention, and there are some with counter-rotating blades out there too.  That doesn't change the American convention.  Helicopters built in America to the European style don't change the conventions.