How is crosswind landing approach handled in ATR operations?

• A. Bank into the wind aggressively to compensate.
• B. Keep wings level and apply crosswind corrections only with ailerons.
• C. Maintain runway alignment by steering using the rudder and aileron in a coordinated fashion.
• D. Rely on the autopilot to hold alignment.

Answer: (D)

Crosswind landings are handled by keeping the aircraft’s nose and wings pointing toward the runway centerline using coordinated rudder and aileron inputs. The crosswind tends to push the airplane off track, so you counter the yaw with rudder and offset any drift with aileron, occasionally using a slight into‑wind bank or a brief slip to stay on the centerline. The final phase may start with a crab to maintain track and then transition to a wing‑low or sideslip moment just before touchdown to align with the runway. Autopilot is not relied on to hold alignment during the actual landing; pilots usually fly the final approach and flare manually (with flight director cues as needed) to react to gusts and maintain precise alignment.