Definition
In the airport traffic pattern, the leg flown perpendicular to the departure end of the runway after the crosswind turn from upwind, where the airplane turns right rather than left. It is used at airports or runways where a right-hand traffic pattern is in effect.
Plain English
The short leg of the traffic pattern flown across the far end of the runway, where the turns go to the right instead of the usual left.
Context Anchor
Used during takeoffs, landings, traffic pattern practice, and instructor questions about how to correct for wind.
Derivation
Crosswind' here doesn't refer to the wind itself — it names the leg that crosses the runway centerline at the departure end. 'Right' indicates that turns in this pattern are made to the right.
Why Pilots Care
Requires specific aileron and rudder inputs to prevent drift and maintain runway alignment.
Grounding Statement
Picture moving straight ahead while wind hits the right side of the airplane and pushes it sideways to the left.
Intuition Check
A right crosswind does not mean the airplane turns right or the wind pushes it right. It means the wind comes from the right side.
Example Sentence 1
The tower instructed the pilot to enter a right crosswind for runway 18.
Example Sentence 2
A right crosswind of eight knots required a crab angle on takeoff.