Prepare for: Normal and Crosswind Takeoffs and Landings
The everyday takeoff and landing, including holding crosswind correction all the way through the roll and touchdown.
Your CFI's syllabus and your airplane's POH come first. This page is a general study aid to help you show up prepared.
What you'll do
- Takeoff: full aileron into the wind at the start of the roll, reducing it as speed builds; right rudder to stay on centerline.
- Rotate at the POH speed and pitch for VY, holding wind correction in the climb.
- Approach: fly a stabilized final at the POH approach speed (or ≤1.3 VSO if none) with the correct flap setting.
- In a crosswind, crab on final, then transition to a wing-low sideslip before the flare: upwind wing down, opposite rudder to align with centerline.
- Round out, hold the airplane off as speed bleeds, and touch down on the main wheels (upwind main first in a crosswind).
- After touchdown keep flying the airplane: increase aileron into the wind as you slow down.
The standard you'll be held to
Quoted from the current FAA Airman Certification Standards for each level that tests this.
Private Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C)Task PA.IV.A · Normal Takeoff and Climb
- Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
- Make radio calls as appropriate.
- Verify assigned/correct runway or takeoff path.
- Determine wind direction with or without visible wind direction indicators.
- Position the flight controls for the existing wind, if applicable.
- Clear the area, taxi into takeoff position, and align the airplane on the runway centerline (ASEL, AMEL) or takeoff path (ASES, AMES).
- Advance the throttle smoothly to takeoff power and confirm proper engine and flight instrument indications prior to rotation.
- Avoid excessive water spray on the propeller(s) (ASES, AMES).
- Rotate and lift off at the recommended airspeed and accelerate to VY.
- Establish a pitch attitude to maintain the manufacturer’s recommended speed or VY, +10/-5 knots.
- Configure the airplane in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance.
- Maintain VY +10/-5 knots to a safe maneuvering altitude.
- Maintain directional control and proper wind-drift correction throughout takeoff and climb.
- Comply with noise abatement procedures, as applicable.
Private Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C)Task PA.IV.B · Normal Approach and Landing
- Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
- Make radio calls as appropriate.
- Ensure the airplane is aligned with the correct/assigned runway or landing surface.
- Scan the runway or landing surface and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions.
- Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind conditions, landing surface, and obstructions.
- Establish the recommended approach and landing configuration, airspeed, and trim, and adjust pitch attitude and power as required to maintain a stabilized approach.
- Maintain manufacturer’s published approach airspeed or in its absence not more than 1.3 times the stalling speed or the minimum steady flight speed in the landing configuration (VSO), +10/-5 knots with gust factor applied.
- Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing.
- Make smooth, timely, and correct control application during round out and touchdown.
- Touch down at a proper pitch attitude, within 400 feet beyond or on the specified point, with no side drift, and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway center/landing path.
- Execute a timely go-around if the approach cannot be made within the tolerances specified above or for any other condition that may result in an unsafe approach or landing.
- Use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable.
Commercial Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-7B)Task CA.IV.B · Normal Approach and Landing
- Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
- Make radio calls as appropriate.
- Ensure the airplane is aligned with the correct/assigned runway or landing surface.
- Scan the runway or landing surface and adjoining area for traffic and obstructions.
- Select and aim for a suitable touchdown point considering the wind conditions, landing surface, and obstructions.
- Establish the recommended approach and landing configuration, airspeed, and trim, and adjust pitch attitude and power as required to maintain a stabilized approach.
- Maintain manufacturer’s published approach airspeed or in its absence not more than 1.3 times the stalling speed or the minimum steady flight speed in the landing configuration (VSO), ±5 knots with gust factor applied.
- Maintain directional control and appropriate crosswind correction throughout the approach and landing.
- Make smooth, timely, and correct control application during round out and touchdown.
- Touch down at a proper pitch attitude, within 200 feet beyond or on the specified point, with no side drift, and with the airplane’s longitudinal axis aligned with and over the runway center/landing path.
- Execute a timely go-around if the approach cannot be made within the tolerances specified above or for any other condition that may result in an unsafe approach or landing.
- Use runway incursion avoidance procedures, if applicable.
Read it in the FAA handbooks
The official chapters behind this page. Each link opens the exact chapter, free on faa.gov. See the full Study Library.
Prepare the night before
- Use our crosswind calculator on today's forecast winds.
- Know your POH approach speeds for each flap setting.
- Chair-fly the sight picture of the flare.
Common mistakes
- Releasing crosswind correction after touchdown.
- Flaring too high or too low (ballooning or a flat landing).
- Chasing airspeed on final instead of setting pitch and trimming.
Questions to ask your instructor
- What's your personal crosswind limit for me right now?
- Where should I be looking during the flare?
Related lessons
Check yourself
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