Definition
Taxiing an airplane on the ground when the wind is blowing across the taxi path rather than from directly ahead or behind, requiring specific aileron and elevator control inputs to keep the upwind wing from lifting and to prevent the wind from upsetting the airplane.
Plain English
Moving the airplane along the ground when the wind is hitting it from the side, and using the flight controls to stop the wind from getting under a wing or tipping the airplane.
Context Anchor
Encountered during ground operations when taxiing to or from a runway, especially on windy days or when the taxiway is not lined up with the wind.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains directional control and keeps the aircraft on the intended surface during ground operations.
Intuition Check
Do not assume crosswind taxiing is only about steering with the wheels. Even on the ground, the wind can affect the wings and tail, so the flight controls still matter.
Example Sentence 1
With a strong wind from the left, the student turned the control wheel into the wind while taxiing to the runway.
Example Sentence 2
Strong crosswind taxiing conditions required extra rudder to keep the nose straight on the taxiway centerline.