Question for pilots: max crab angle for a jet ?

[Deschodt]

What is the "accepted" maximum crab angle that you can use in a commercial airliner immediately before touchdown? I imagine there is a limit where it's just not possible to line up straight in time and not rip off the landing gear, so you must divert... (Google is good about wind speed & angle but I cannot find the resulting crab angle numbers - not to mention the possibility of wing strike if you are lowering a wing into the wind)

Just asking practically speaking, what's the highest crab angle you or your buddies have seen pulled off just before a landing in a midsize to jumbo jet ?

I have a coworker who is quoting pretty "off the chart" numbers from his navy stories in the aleutians, and since I have not piloted since 1991, and only small aircraft, I don't want to call outright BS ;-) Maybe it's possible, his stories just seemed outlandish to me... Educate me please ;-)

[304065]

Depends on whether the a/c has a castering gear or not. B747, B52 are examples that come to mind- due to the length of the wing it is impractical to hold a wingtip low all the way to touchdown, because you would drag a wingtip, so the gear will caster to allow you a pretty decent angle between flight path and runway.


Found it: B52 main gear can pivot 20 degrees. From the cockpit that looks like you're going to fly off into the cocktail lounge.

The 777 actually has steerable main gear bogies along with cameras to see where you are. Pretty cool.

[Deschodt]

Yeah, I was aware of thaat on the B52, did not know the 747 had that as well, tells you how much I don't know ;-) Still, what are we talking about then ? 30 degrees ? More ? Let's assume non-steerable gear unless all modern airliners have them, I don't know...

[crustychief]

[holtjv]

Wow. The second video from 1:30 (last 2 landings) is amazing. I'm guessing that's pretty good piloting.

[enzo1]

yea, on that last 1, watch his rudder , great stuff

[krystar]

YouTube - Most Extreme Airports Crosswind Landing Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport 1998

looks to be about 45 degrees at touchdown. hehe

[rattlsnak]

there is no 'limit' per say on dry runways, but it is routine on really windy days to get @ 25-30 degrees. we only have limits on the amount of crosswind if the runway is slippery (wet, snow, etc) If its dry, its 'legal'.. but that is a wind component, not a crab angle limit.

[island911]

Yaw, what he^ said.

[HardDrive]

The pilots flying above?