By Ray Leis

As the spring and summer flying season return, many general aviation pilots are realizing they haven’t flown much during the winter. As a result, they usually have lost some of the skills honed during the previous year’s flying season.

Up to a point, crosswind landings can be challenging and fun. But landing can become hard work when the the wind howls, gusts and bounces you and your passengers around. Still, a successful outcome depends on you, the pilot. One of those skills—especially useful during the spring—is handling a crosswind while landing. Pilots should be thoroughly familiar with all methods for dealing with a crosswind—the slip, the crab and the…