Which control input is used for maintaining proper alignment during crosswind landings?

In crosswind landings, maintaining proper alignment with the runway is crucial for safety and successful touchdown. The primary control input used to counteract wind effects and keep the aircraft aligned is aileron control.

When an aircraft is subjected to a crosswind, the wind pushes against the aircraft's side. To maintain alignment with the runway during the landing approach, the pilot uses ailerons to bank the aircraft slightly into the wind. This technique helps to balance the lateral forces acting on the aircraft and ensures that the aircraft's nose remains pointed down the runway, reducing the risk of drifting off course.

While other control surfaces also play a role in landings—such as elevator control for pitch and rudder control for yaw—the ailerons are particularly critical for lateral control during a crosswind scenario. Ailerons allow the pilot to make the necessary adjustments to keep the wings level with respect to the ground, thus maintaining directional control throughout the landing process.