Definition
During a crosswind landing, the main landing gear wheel located on the side of the airplane opposite the direction the wind is blowing from. In a sideslip (wing-low) crosswind landing, this wheel touches down after the upwind main wheel.
Plain English
The main wheel on the side of the airplane that the wind is blowing toward. If the wind is coming from the left, the right main wheel is the downwind main wheel.
Context Anchor
Used when describing crosswind landings, especially the touchdown sequence when one main wheel contacts the runway before the other.
Derivation
‘Downwind’ means the side or direction the wind is blowing toward — the side away from the wind source. So the downwind main wheel is simply the main wheel on that side of the airplane.
Why Pilots Care
Proper sequencing keeps the airplane aligned with the runway, prevents side loads on the gear, and reduces the chance of a ground loop or loss of directional control.
Intuition Check
Do not read downwind as the side the wind comes from. Downwind means the side the wind is blowing toward.
Example Sentence 1
After the upwind main wheel made contact, the pilot eased off aileron pressure and let the downwind main wheel settle onto the runway.
Example Sentence 2
In a strong left crosswind the right main wheel is the downwind main wheel and contacts the surface after the left wheel.