← Back to Aviation Glossary
Crosswind
A wind component that blows perpendicular to the aircraft's direction of travel, particularly relevant during takeoff and landing. Pilots use specific techniques (crab method or wing-low method) to compensate for crosswind conditions.
Related Terms
- CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency)The frequency used by pilots to announce position and intentions at nontowered airports. CTAF communications help aircraft maintain traffic awareness in the pattern and on the ground when no control tower is operating.
- Dead ReckoningA navigation method where the pilot calculates their current position by using a previously determined position, then advancing that position based on known speed, elapsed time, and course. It's a fundamental piloting skill used alongside electronic navigation.
- Dew PointThe temperature to which air must be cooled at constant pressure for saturation to occur. ATIS, ASOS, and AWOS reports include temperature and dew point; a small temperature-dew-point spread often signals possible fog, low ceilings, or carburetor icing risk.
- DME (Distance Measuring Equipment)An avionics system that measures the slant-range distance between the aircraft and a ground station in nautical miles. DME is often paired with VOR stations and used for instrument navigation and approach procedures.