Extreme crosswind landings at Gatwick Airport

Geoffrey Thomas

By Geoffrey Thomas Tue Oct 20, 2020

Just Planes has captured and just posted some extreme crosswind landings at Gatwick Airport from 2019. The footage was shot during the storm named Erik. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vEOhnDfKoo&feature=youtu.be Crosswind landings can be a major challenge for pilots and occur when the wind is across the runway, not head-on. The recent bad weather in the United Kingdom has really tested the skills of pilots and AirlineRatings has obtained some stunning vision of planes trying to land at Birmingham.
Typically aircraft land and take-off into the wind to decrease the landing or take-off distance. SEE: If you love flying you will love this DC-3 video. In some cases aircraft land with a slight downwind component – typically associated with noise-sensitive airports where one runway is preferred over another. Where a pilot faces a crosswind landing they need to point the aircraft in the direction of the wind while maintaining a straight course toward the runway. This is called crabbing or yawing.
In strong crosswinds, the pilot may also dip the wing – sideslip – into the direction of the wind. Just before touchdown pilots apply rudder to bring the plane – and its undercarriage – back so it is aligned straight down the centre line of the runway. This takes great skill and the results – if not done properly – are often quite spectacular as shown in the video above.  

Have questions or want to share your thoughts?

Comments

No comments yet, be the first to write one.

Latest news and reviews

View more
Deliberate pilot actions such as on flydubai flight responsible for 20-30% of major disasters
Airline News

Deliberate pilot actions such as on flydubai flight responsible for 20-30% of major disasters

Oct 1, 2026

Sharon Petersen
What happened on flydubai flight FZ1073?
Airline News

What happened on flydubai flight FZ1073?

Sep 30, 2026

Sharon Petersen and Dev Lunawat
How STARLUX became one of the world's best airlines in just six years
Airline News

How STARLUX became one of the world's best airlines in just six years

Sep 29, 2026

Sharon Petersen
Vietjet signs with Starlink to bring free high-speed Wi-Fi to its entire network
Airline News

Vietjet signs with Starlink to bring free high-speed Wi-Fi to its entire network

Sep 25, 2026

Dev Lunawat

Featured articles

View more
What happened on flydubai flight FZ1073?
Airline News

What happened on flydubai flight FZ1073?

Sep 30, 2026

Sharon Petersen and Dev Lunawat
Deliberate pilot actions such as on flydubai flight responsible for 20-30% of major disasters
Airline News

Deliberate pilot actions such as on flydubai flight responsible for 20-30% of major disasters

Oct 1, 2026

Sharon Petersen
Is HK Express the Best Low-Cost Airline for Food and Shopping?
Airline News

Is HK Express the Best Low-Cost Airline for Food and Shopping?

Sep 17, 2026

Airline Ratings
United Airlines older Polaris better than you think
Airline Ratings review

United Airlines older Polaris better than you think

Sep 25, 2026

Airline Ratings