Definition
A type of aircraft landing gear in which the main wheels are designed to caster, or swivel, a limited number of degrees to either side of their normal straight-ahead position. This allows the wheels to align with the direction of travel down the runway during a crosswind landing, even though the airplane's nose is pointed into the wind (crabbed) rather than straight down the runway centerline.
Plain English
Wheels that can pivot sideways a little so the airplane can touch down with its nose pointed into the wind while still rolling straight down the runway.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft systems and landing technique discussions, especially for aircraft designed to land safely in strong crosswinds.
Derivation
Crosswind means a wind blowing across the runway rather than along it. The term describes gear specifically built to handle that situation.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces side loads on the gear and improves directional control when landing in strong crosswinds.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane slightly angled into the wind, but the wheels turned so they still roll straight down the runway.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as simply 'landing gear used during a crosswind.' It means a special landing gear design that can angle the wheels for a crosswind touchdown.
Example Sentence 1
The Ercoupe's crosswind landing gear allowed the pilot to touch down with the nose still pointed slightly into the wind without side-loading the tires.
Example Sentence 2
Aircraft equipped with crosswind landing gear can accept higher crosswind components without requiring aggressive crabbing.