Plain English Meaning

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.

Full 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.

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 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 to it.