Definition
A crosswind landing technique in which the pilot lowers the upwind wing by applying aileron into the wind while using opposite rudder to keep the airplane's longitudinal axis aligned with the runway centerline. The aircraft descends in a steady sideslip throughout the approach and touches down on the upwind main wheel first, followed by the downwind main wheel and then the nosewheel or tailwheel.
Plain English
You bank slightly into the wind with the ailerons and push the opposite rudder pedal to keep the nose pointed straight down the runway. The airplane comes in slightly tilted and lands on the into-the-wind wheel first.
Context Anchor
Used during a crosswind approach and landing, especially in the last part of the approach and through touchdown.
Derivation
Named directly for what the pilot does — flies the approach with one wing held low into the wind. Plain descriptive name.
Why Pilots Care
Keeps the aircraft tracking straight over the runway and prevents drift or sideways touchdown loads in crosswind conditions.
Intuition Check
Do not read wing-low method as simply “bank the airplane and land.” The key is two things at once: lower the upwind wing to stop drift, and use rudder to keep the nose lined up with the runway.
Example Sentence 1
With a steady right crosswind, the pilot used the wing-low method, holding the right wing down with aileron and using left rudder to keep the nose aligned with the runway.
Example Sentence 2
When the crosswind increased on short final, the instructor reminded the student to deepen the bank in the wing-low method.