AFH 6-7

While holding aileron pressure into the wind, the pilot should use the rudder to maintain a straight takeoff path. [Figure 6-4] Since the airplane tends to weathervane into the wind while on the ground, the pilot will typically apply downwind rudder pressure. When the pilot increases power for takeoff, the resulting P-factor causes the airplane to yaw to the left. While this yaw may be sufficient to counteract the airplane’s tendency to weathervane into the wind in a crosswind from the right, it may aggravate this tendency in a crosswind from the left. In any case, the pilot should apply rudder pressure in the appropriate direction to keep the airplane rolling straight down the runway. Figure 6-4. Crosswind roll and takeoff climb. As the forward speed of the airplane increases, the pilot should apply sufficient aileron pressure into the crosswind to keep the wings level. The effect of the crosswind component will not completely vanish; therefore, the pilot needs to maintain some aileron pressure throughout the takeoff roll. If the upwind wing rises, the amount of wing surface exposed to the crosswind will increase, which may cause the airplane to lose lateral alignment with the runway centerline and to "skip." [Figure 6-5] The pilot uses rudder pressure to keep the airplane’s longitudinal axis parallel to the runway centerline. This “skipping” is usually indicated by a series of very small bounces caused by the airplane attempting to fly and then settling back onto the runway. During these bounces, the crosswind also tends to move the airplane sideways, and these bounces develop into side- skipping. This side-skipping imposes severe side stresses on the landing gear and may result in structural failure. During a crosswind takeoff roll, it is important that the pilot hold sufficient aileron pressure into the wind not only to keep the upwind wing from rising but to hold that wing down so that the airplane sideslips into the wind enough to counteract drift immediately after lift-off. Lift-Off As the nose-wheel raises off of the runway, the pilot should hold aileron pressure into the wind. This may cause the downwind wing to rise and the downwind main wheel to lift off the runway first, with the remainder of the takeoff roll being made on that one main wheel. This is acceptable and is preferable to side-skipping. If a significant crosswind exists, the pilot should hold the main wheels on the ground slightly longer than in a normal takeoff so that a smooth but very definite lift-off can be made. This allows the airplane to leave the ground under more positive control and helps it remain airborne while the pilot establishes the proper amount of wind correction. More importantly, this procedure avoids imposing excessive side-loads on the landing gear and prevents possible damage that would result from the airplane settling back to the runway while drifting.