Definition
A flight path at right angles to the landing runway, flown off its takeoff end as part of the standard airport traffic pattern. It connects the upwind leg to the downwind leg.
Plain English
The short part of the airport traffic pattern where you fly across the end of the runway, at 90 degrees to it, after taking off and before turning to fly back parallel to the runway.
Context Anchor
Used when describing the airport traffic pattern, especially during takeoff, landing practice, and radio calls at non-towered airports.
Derivation
Called 'crosswind' because in a standard pattern flown into the wind on takeoff, this leg crosses the wind at roughly 90 degrees. The name describes the wind direction relative to the aircraft on this segment, not a wind condition you have to deal with.
Why Pilots Care
Flying the crosswind leg correctly provides time to reach pattern altitude, check for traffic, and maintain safe spacing from other aircraft before turning downwind.
Intuition Check
Do not assume Crosswind Leg means the wind must be blowing across the runway. In the traffic pattern, it means the aircraft is flying across the runway direction.
Example Sentence 1
After takeoff, climb to pattern altitude and turn left onto the crosswind leg.
Example Sentence 2
On the crosswind leg the pilot scanned for traffic before turning downwind.