Definition
Winds that blow across the runway or flight path at an angle, rather than directly down the runway. A crosswind has a component that pushes the airplane sideways relative to its intended track, requiring the pilot to apply control inputs to maintain alignment during takeoff, landing, and taxi.
Plain English
Wind that hits the airplane from the side instead of straight down the runway. The pilot has to actively work against it to keep the airplane lined up and tracking straight.
Context Anchor
Commonly encountered during takeoffs and landings when the wind is not lined up with the runway.
Derivation
Cross' comes from Old English meaning 'athwart' or 'across,' and 'wind' is the moving air. A crosswind literally crosses the runway rather than running along it.
Why Pilots Care
Crosswinds create drift and require active control inputs to keep the airplane on the intended path during ground operations.
Grounding Statement
If the runway points north and south but the wind is blowing from the west, the airplane will feel a sideways push as it moves along the runway.
Intuition Check
Crosswind does not mean the wind must blow exactly 90 degrees across the runway. Any wind that includes a sideways push relative to the airplane’s path is a crosswind.
Example Sentence 1
With the wind reported at 270 at 15 knots and runway 36 in use, the pilot briefed the landing for a strong left crosswind.
Example Sentence 2
A strong crosswind from the left required extra rudder to keep the nose pointed down the runway centerline.