Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

When executing a crosswind landing, what should be done after touchdown?

1. Increase aileron deflection into the crosswind

2. Continue straight ahead without adjustment

3. Reduce power to idle

4. Retain full elevator deflection

The correct answer is: Increase aileron deflection into the crosswind

After a crosswind landing, increasing aileron deflection into the crosswind is essential to maintain control and prevent the aircraft from drifting off the runway. During a crosswind landing approach, the pilot uses ailerons to counteract the wind's force, ensuring that one wing is lower than the other as the aircraft touches down. Immediately after touchdown, the aerodynamic properties change, and the aircraft may be more vulnerable to being pushed sideways by the wind. By increasing aileron deflection into the wind, the pilot effectively counters the wind's force, keeping the wings level and maintaining directional control. This action helps prevent the aircraft from weathercocking, a phenomenon where the aircraft tends to pivot into the wind due to differential drag on the wings. Applying additional aileron also ensures that the appropriate amount of cross-controlled flight continues until the aircraft is fully stabilized and can roll straight down the runway. The other options do not adequately address the need for maintaining control during this critical phase of landing. Continuing straight ahead without adjustment could lead to loss of control, and reducing power to idle is typically a standard procedure but doesn't directly help with controlling the aircraft in a crosswind situation. Retaining full elevator deflection is not necessary at this stage and might lead