Longitudinal Axis Rudder Runway 
Pilot's Life Blog
JUNE 18, 2025
The wind pushing from the side makes controlling the aircraft during touchdown more challenging and increases the risk of veering off the runway or damaging the plane. A crosswind is any wind that blows perpendicular or at an angle to the runway centerline. This keeps the plane’s ground track aligned with the runway centerline.
Pilot Institute
APRIL 12, 2025
They allow roll control about the aircrafts longitudinal axis. Both forces complement each other, and the net torque about the longitudinal axis makes the aircraft roll. It offers pitch control, meaning the aircraft pivots about the lateral axis. Yaw means side-to-side movement about the vertical axis.
Pilot Institute
APRIL 5, 2024
When the wind is blowing across the runway instead of along it, things get more challenging. However, the wind rarely aligns perfectly with the runway. Touching down with the aircraft’s longitudinal axis aligned with the runway. If the pilot makes no corrections, the aircraft gets blown off the runway centerline.
Expert insights. Personalized for you.
Let's personalize your content