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During a CROSSWIND landing approach, the wing-low (sideslip) method requires

Choices

wings level and crab into the wind.
Wings-level crab is the alternative method, not wing-low.
✓ lower the upwind wing into the wind to counter drift.correct
In the wing-low (sideslip) method you lower the upwind wing into the wind to stop the drift and hold the longitudinal axis aligned with the runway centerline using OPPOSITE rudder. Touchdown on the upwind main first, then downwind main, then nose. Wing-low (sideslip) method: bank into the wind (upwind wing down) — the horizontal lift component counters drift. Apply OPPOSITE rudder to keep the nose aligned with runway centerline. Result: airplane is in a sideslip, descending straight along centerline. Touchdown sequence: upwind main first (bank loaded), then downwind main, then nose. Aileron is held INTO the wind throughout rollout, gradually increasing as airspeed bleeds.
wings level and rudder away from the wind.
Rudder away from wind worsens drift.
carry max power throughout the landing.
Max power makes touchdown impossible.

Why

In the wing-low (sideslip) method you lower the upwind wing into the wind to stop the drift and hold the longitudinal axis aligned with the runway centerline using OPPOSITE rudder. Touchdown on the upwind main first, then downwind main, then nose. Wing-low (sideslip) method: bank into the wind (upwind wing down) — the horizontal lift component counters drift. Apply OPPOSITE rudder to keep the nose aligned with runway centerline. Result: airplane is in a sideslip, descending straight along centerline. Touchdown sequence: upwind main first (bank loaded), then downwind main, then nose. Aileron is held INTO the wind throughout rollout, gradually increasing as airspeed bleeds.

FAA source: AFH Ch 9 — Crosswind Landings; AFH Chapter 9 — Approaches and Landingsbrowse the reference library →

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Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question. Reviewed by a panel of three CFIs + AI review.