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Sideslips vs Crabs

There are both advantages and disadvantages to the two prime methods of controlling drift. Crabs have the disadvantage that at lot happens in a short time period close to the ground. However they are often the only appropriate method of drift control for low-wing airplanes. On the other hand the forward slip may be used throughout the landing phase effectively with aircraft with higher wing mounts. Under high wind conditions a great deal of concentration may be required to deal with the weather cocking tendencies of most gliders at low airspeeds. With students it is wise to set up sideslips as soon as you turn on to final, so they can establish the right amount early on. This leaves them with more time to adjust the glide slope and the landing flare. If they wait until short final then as with the crab they can have too much to do and can go beyond the ‘red’ zone.

There are several illusions created when the aircraft drifts with the wind. These are generally only prominent close to the ground. Turns from base leg onto final with a tail wind may make the pilot feel that they are slipping with the tendency to incorrectly apply more pro-turn yawing. When landing with a tailwind the pilot can feel that aircraft is flying too fast and slow down too much. With this in mind the best habit to establish, particularly with off-field landings, is to pick a circuit such that the turn from base leg on to final is made into the wind, and of course to land if possible heading into the wind.