Crosswind Landing

Crosswind Landing Notes

  • Use the shoreline for visual cue if you are drifting.  Ensure you touch down without sideways drift.  Do not rely on the water surface to guess sideways drift.
  • One float or one sponson in the water at a time causes noticeable yawing tendency, be ready with rudder to control direction.
  • Transitioning from step to displacement (going through the plow phase) is the most unstable time and most likely time for the air rudder to lose effectiveness and the seaplane to weathervane.
  • Drop water rudders as soon as you are at displacement for extra control.
  • Weathervaning can turn the airplane fast enough to cause it to capsize, use caution if you choose to operate in higher winds.
  • The downwind arc uses a higher rate of turn the slower you go (maintaining a balance between centrifugal force and the crosswind).  This takes a good bit of skill, ask your instructor to demonstrate before attempting (used for float planes, not hull).