Definition
A wind correction technique in which the airplane's nose is turned into the wind so that the airplane's longitudinal axis is offset from the intended ground track, allowing the airplane to track straight over the ground despite a crosswind.
Plain English
Pointing the nose slightly into the wind so the airplane moves in a straight line over the ground even though the wind is trying to push it sideways.
Context Anchor
Encountered during takeoff, initial climb, approach, and landing whenever a crosswind is trying to push the airplane off its intended path.
Derivation
Named after the way a crab walks sideways. The airplane's nose points one way while it actually travels another, just as a crab faces one direction but moves at an angle to it.
Why Pilots Care
Prevents the aircraft from drifting off the intended ground track during climb in crosswind conditions, maintaining safe separation from obstacles and traffic.
Intuition Check
Crabbing does not mean the airplane is sliding sideways through the air. It means the nose is pointed into the wind while the airplane’s ground path stays where the pilot wants it.
Example Sentence 1
After liftoff, the pilot established a crab into the left crosswind to keep the climbout aligned with the extended runway centerline.
Example Sentence 2
In the initial climb segment the student maintained a crab angle until reaching pattern altitude and then transitioned to coordinated flight.