Staying focused on the end of the runway helps you detect even the slightest heading changes more quickly.

by Jeb Burnside

Many of us still have problems maintaining directional control during takeoffs and landings, especially in crosswinds. While the wind is not always our friend, it is what it is and pilots have to learn to deal with adverse winds—along with many other challenges—on their way to proficiency. Sure, a stiff crosswind can be intimidating, but it should not pose a major challenge to pilots. In fact, getting the airplane on or off the runway is rarely the problem. Instead, how we handle the bad things that can happen while the airplane is transitioning from airborne to ground-borne and back are what makes the difference between success and an…