I also appreciate the Wikipedia link you posted, Bruno, and I will re-read it now for a better grasp of the subject. For sure one of these days before my whiskers turn grey I would like to fly a real plane, if only to see how true to life my endless FS9 flight sim hours have been all along, and maybe also to see if I can perform a real crosswind landing as expertly as I think I can a virtual one. RegardsTony Selario

Hi Tony,The link was first posted by Rob and was there for all to read. So you can thank him ! :( Now about your wish to fly. If you have a chance, jump at the opportunity. Or - even better - don't wait : make it happen! Even if it's for a single lesson !Best regards,Bruno

I am not disagreeing with you, I am trying to find out what exactly your technique is, as you haven't actually said. Perhaps after 40 years you think it is so obvious that it does not need to be stated, but please state it anyway, step by step. On the other hand, you seem to be disagreeing with me, "...I assure you there will be drift...". Of course there will drift! From the time you introduce the rudder to change your heading to match your track, until the time that the tyres grip enough to resist the side forces. How much drift is that? How long does it take to introduce 8degrees of yaw? Is it enough to worry about? Is that worry greater then the worry of a pod strike? How difficult are the corrections required and what are the consequences of not getting them right? I am not saying sideslip should not be used, I am saying sideslip should not be used unintentionally. Which would you recommend to a begineer? One rudder movement at flare or balancing a sideslip with ailerons and counter rudder while maintaining track on the centerline? You have learned to manage that balance but I bet it still holds your full attention.

Paul,On final in a crosswind I am tracking the centerline of the runway in coordinted flight (crab). The amount of crosswind will determine the altitude at which I will transition from coordinated flight. At 100 feet (could be 50 or 150 depending on the crosswind and aircraft type) I will slowly start to push the rudder to bring the nose toward the centerline of the runway while gentlely lowiering the upwind wing to stop the drift. This is done very smoothly (I don't like abrupt control inputs) and completed (hopefully) prior to the flare. A buddy of mine on the L1011 had a rule of thumb that was "1 degree of bank for each 10 knots of crosswind" which happened to be what the autopilot used during Autoland. My primary flight trainer in the military was the T-41 and this is the basic technique that we were taught. This is also the technique I taught my wife and two sons when they were learning to fly. Bill Bridges

Paul,On final in a crosswind I am tracking the centerline of the runway in coordinted flight (crab). The amount of crosswind will determine the altitude at which I will transition from coordinated flight. At 100 feet (could be 50 or 150 depending on the crosswind and aircraft type) I will slowly start to push the rudder to bring the nose toward the centerline of the runway while gentlely lowiering the upwind wing to stop the drift. This is done very smoothly (I don't like abrupt control inputs) and completed (hopefully) prior to the flare. A buddy of mine on the L1011 had a rule of thumb that was "1 degree of bank for each 10 knots of crosswind" which happened to be what the autopilot used during Autoland. My primary flight trainer in the military was the T-41 and this is the basic technique that we were taught. This is also the technique I taught my wife and two sons when they were learning to fly. Bill Bridges

Sounds very smooth, I will give it a try it. I like that the rudder movement is slower and earlier, but can you confirm the bank levels required please, as one degree bank for ten knots crosswind component seems very, very flat.

Paul you didnt understand.When i move the ruder to left in FSX th eplane points to th eleft when i let the ruder the plane points back again right.when i mvoe rudder to right th eplane points right and when i let the ruder it points again left that isnt normal or?is tha tin real life so too?

Paul you didnt understand.When i move the ruder to left in FSX th eplane points to th eleft when i let the ruder the plane points back again right.when i mvoe rudder to right th eplane points right and when i let the ruder it points again left that isnt normal or?is tha tin real life so too?

Yes that is normal

Paul you didnt understand.When i move the ruder to left in FSX th eplane points to th eleft when i let the ruder the plane points back again right.when i mvoe rudder to right th eplane points right and when i let the ruder it points again left that isnt normal or?is tha tin real life so too?

of course it is normal. Think about it. The wind flying on either side of the large tail rudder is going to be changed in pressure on the side you move the rudder, so the airplane will start to go to that direction

of course it is normal. Think about it. The wind flying on either side of the large tail rudder is going to be changed in pressure on the side you move the rudder, so the airplane will start to go to that direction

Actually, no it wont. The plane will yaw until the forces are balanced. And balanced forces do not cause a turn. Fly a cessna straight and level towards a landmark, smoothly introduce full rudder (with no bank) in one direction, then smoothly release the rudder. You are still flying towards the same landmark. Repeat in the other direction, same result. All you have done is to change the direction the nose points in, (your heading). You have NOT changed the direction you fly in (your track).Repeat after me, Rudder does not steer. Rudder does not steer. Rudder does not steer.

Yunus and David, those are the very basics of aviation! I strongly recommend You FSX "Learning Center", You should accomplish at least Student Pilot, Private Pilot and Instrument Pilot. Everything is very well explained there the easiest way possible. I can't imagine how can You fly PMDG planes without the basic knowledge.And repeat after Paul: Rudder does not steer. Rudder does not steer. Rudder does not steer. ;) But I have a friend who flies PC simulations for years, and he still believes the rudder does steer, no matter how hard I try to explain that it doesn't...

Well only in flightsim do you get people jumping into the Right hand seat of a 747-400 without even knowing how to land a cessna :(

Yunus and David, those are the very basics of aviation! I strongly recommend You FSX "Learning Center", You should accomplish at least Student Pilot, Private Pilot and Instrument Pilot. Everything is very well explained there the easiest way possible. I can't imagine how can You fly PMDG planes without the basic knowledge.And repeat after Paul: Rudder does not steer. Rudder does not steer. Rudder does not steer. ;) But I have a friend who flies PC simulations for years, and he still believes the rudder does steer, no matter how hard I try to explain that it doesn't...

I know all the Basics!I just had wanna to be sure.Rudder does not steer.Ruder does not steer.Durder does not steer.

I know all the Basics!I just had wanna to be sure.Rudder does not steer.Ruder does not steer.Durder does not steer.

Brilliant! :(

Repeat after me, Rudder does not steer. Rudder does not steer. Rudder does not steer.

Nah. You can actually steer with rudder, but it's not a recommended technique and not very pretty flying :(

Nah. You can actually steer with rudder, but it's not a recommended technique and not very pretty flying :(

arrgghh this thread wont die, I've created a monster! :(