At touchdown, when should you hold the sideslip?

Holding the sideslip until the upwind gear touches the runway is critical for maintaining control and ensuring a safe landing, particularly in crosswind conditions. A sideslip is a maneuver where the aircraft is angled into the wind while flying parallel to the ground, allowing it to counteract the effects of the wind on the airplane's approach path.

When the airplane is in a sideslip and the upwind gear touches down first, it provides several advantages. This technique helps to stabilize the aircraft and align it more efficiently with the runway, minimizing the side-loads on the landing gear. By ensuring that the upwind gear makes contact first, the pilot can maintain directional control during the landing roll out, which is essential in windy conditions.

Once the upwind gear is on the ground, the aircraft begins to settle into a straight and level position as the downwind gear follows. This sequenced landing not only enhances safety but also reduces the risk of the aircraft veering off the runway due to crosswinds. The approach emphasizes a proper crosswind landing technique, highlighting the importance of timing and control during critical phases of flight like touchdown.