Definition
A crosswind landing technique in which the pilot lowers the upwind wing using aileron to counter sideways drift, while applying opposite rudder to keep the airplane's longitudinal axis aligned with the runway centerline. This sideslip is held through the final approach, flare, and touchdown so the upwind main wheel contacts the runway first.
Plain English
A way to land in a crosswind where you tilt the airplane slightly into the wind and use the rudder to keep the nose pointed straight down the runway. You touch down on the into-the-wind wheel first.
Context Anchor
Used during final approach and landing when a crosswind is present.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains directional control and prevents the aircraft from drifting off the runway when the wind blows across the landing path.
Intuition Check
Do not read “wing-low” as an accidental or unsafe tilt. In this context, it is a deliberate crosswind correction used to keep the airplane tracking straight toward the runway.
Example Sentence 1
With a strong crosswind from the left, the pilot used a wing-low approach, holding left aileron and right rudder so the left main wheel touched down first.
Example Sentence 2
The student transitioned from crab to wing-low approach just before flare so the airplane would touch down with the main wheels aligned and no sideways drift.