Sideslip – A maneuver whereby an aircraft intentionally creates a lateral force, or drift, to counteract crosswinds, and maintains its intended course while appearing to move sideways.
During a sideslip, the aircraft’s nose is pointed to one side of the direction of travel while the body is banked in the opposite direction to maintain the desired heading. This results in a lateral force being created that helps to counteract any crosswind effects and keep the aircraft on course.
Sideslips are commonly used during takeoffs and landings to compensate for crosswinds, but can also be used during flight to maintain heading in a strong crosswind or to aid in descending at a steeper angle without increasing airspeed. Pilots must be skilled in executing this maneuver, as improper technique or excessive use of sideslip can result in loss of control or overstressing of the aircraft.
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