Definition
A foundational flight instructor training task covering the procedures for approaching and landing an airplane on a runway under both calm or near-aligned wind conditions (normal) and conditions where the wind has a sideways component relative to the runway (crosswind). The task includes proper airspeed control on final approach, descent path management, drift correction techniques (typically the wing-low or crab-to-sideslip method), touchdown on the upwind main wheel first in a crosswind, and directional control during rollout.
Plain English
Bringing the airplane down to the runway and landing it -- both when the wind is straight down the runway and when it's blowing across it. In a crosswind, the pilot has to keep the airplane lined up with the runway even though the wind is trying to push it sideways.
Context Anchor
Encountered in flight training, flight instructor lesson plans, and practical test preparation for takeoffs and landings.
Why Pilots Care
Proper execution prevents drift off the runway, loss of directional control, or hard landings that can damage the aircraft or cause injury.
Grounding Statement
The airplane should touch down moving along the runway, not sliding or drifting across it.
Intuition Check
“Normal” does not mean casual or automatic; it means a standard landing without unusual conditions. “Crosswind” does not mean landing sideways; it means correcting for wind from the side so the airplane touches down straight and under control.
Example Sentence 1
During the checkride, the applicant demonstrated a normal and crosswind approach and landing, touching down on the upwind main wheel first with the nose tracking straight down the centerline.
Example Sentence 2
On the next circuit the instructor demonstrated a crosswind approach and landing by applying left rudder and right aileron to keep the aircraft aligned with the runway despite the strong right crosswind.