Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre

Preparatory Ground Instruction

Exercise 16 – Takeoff (Crosswind)
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Must-Know
Concepts

Exercise 16 – Takeoff (Normal)

Building-blocks required for this Only minor differences.
module.

If any of these are unfamiliar,

please go review those modules
first!
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Overview
Ex. 16 – Takeoff Objective: Learn how to safely conduct
(Crosswind) 01
crosswind takeoffs.
FTM pg. 88-98
Motivation: Some amount of crosswind is almost
02
always present – it is important to be able to
adapt.
Link: Taxi, Attitudes & Movements, Climbing,
03 Slow Flight, Stalls, Spins, Slipping, Normal
Takeoffs
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Outline
Crosswind Takeoff
1 What is it and when do we use it?

Procedure
2 How to conduct a crosswind takeoff

Factors
3 Learn what affects crosswind takeoffs

Safety
4 Review safety considerations relevant to this flight lesson
1
Crosswind Takeoff
What is it and when should we use it?
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Essential Background Knowledge

Crosswind Takeoff
What is it? When should we use it?
• A technique for improving aircraft • Anytime we have >5 knots of crosswind
control when we have a crosswind – Technique doesn’t really require a
– The “upwind” wing wants to lift first, crosswind so there’s no harm in using it
since the “downwind” wing is somewhat when the winds are very light
shielded by the fuselage
– Aircraft tends to weathervane
– Aircraft wants to drift towards the
downwind edge of the runway
2
Procedure
How to conduct a crosswind takeoff
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Essential Background Knowledge

Crosswind Takeoff Procedures
Normal Takeoff + Adjustments
– Minimum flaps (up where possible, which is usually the case)
– Deflect ailerons fully into the wind (like taxi inputs)
• Roll back towards neutral – but not all the way – as speed and
control effectiveness increases
– Adjust VR slightly (up) and rotate firmly
• Goal is to ensure aircraft climbs immediately – avoid secondary
contact
– Turn into wind to maintain centerline
3
Factors
Learn what affects crosswind takeoffs
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Essential Background Knowledge

Factors Affecting Crosswind Takeoffs
All the normal factors, plus:

Crosswind Component
• Stronger crosswind = more difficult
• Know your maximum demonstrated
crosswind (not a limitation!):
– C172: 15 knots
– C152: 12 knots
• Calculate crosswind component
– Runway 26, winds 220 at 20 knots
4
Safety
Review safety considerations relevant to this flight lesson
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Safety
Crosswind Takeoff Safety
Holding Inputs
• Relaxing the inputs prematurely can
result in the upwind wing ‘lifting’
• If upwind wing lifts, directional control
is compromised
Review
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Key Points
Crosswind Takeoff
1 What is it and when do we use it?

Procedure
2 How to conduct a crosswind takeoff

Factors
3 Learn what affects crosswind takeoffs

Safety
4 Review safety considerations relevant to this flight lesson
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Key Points

Crosswind Takeoff
1 • Objective is to improve directional control until aircraft leaves the ground
• Use anytime there’s an observable crosswind
– No adverse effects
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Key Points

Procedure
2 • Normal Takeoff, with:
– Minimal flaps
– Ailerons rolled fully into wind, progressively neutralized as liftoff nears
– Slightly increased VR
– Crab following takeoff
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Key Points

Factors
3 • All the usual stuff!
• Crosswind Strength
– Calculate beforehand
– Compare to MDXW
• C172: 15 knots
• C152: 12 knots
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Key Points

Safety
4 • Hold the inputs!
– If you let up early, the aircraft will drift downwind.
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Assigned Reading Review

Exercise 16 – Takeoff
FTM pg. 88-98

Before Next Module

Exercise 17 – The Circuit
FTM pg. 99-103
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Exercise 16 – Takeoff (Crosswind)

As always, please remember to review the contents of this module the day
before your flight lesson on this exercise.

If you have any questions or difficulty, please contact Kyle Green (

kgreen@wwfc.ca) for assistance.