Impact Crosswind

skilled cyclists can ride in crosswinds using belgian tourniquet (belgischer kreisel)

in aviation, crosswind component of wind blowing across runway, making landings , take-offs more difficult if wind blowing straight down runway. if crosswind strong enough, can damage aircraft s undercarriage upon landing. crosswinds, abbreviated x/wind, reported in knots, abbreviated kt, , use plural form in expressions such 40kt crosswinds . smaller aircraft not limited ability land in crosswind, may see ability taxi safely reduced.

crosswinds can cause difficulty ground vehicles traveling on wet or slippery roads (snow, ice, standing water, etc.), when gusting conditions affect vehicles have large side area such vans, suvs, , tractor-trailers. can dangerous motorists because of possible lift force created, causing vehicle lose traction or change direction of travel. safest way motorists deal crosswinds reducing speed reduce effect of lift force , steer direction of crosswind.

cyclists affected crosswinds. saving energy avoiding riding in wind major part of tactics of road bicycle racing, , particularly applies in crosswinds. in crosswinds, groups of cyclists form echelons , rotating windward , leeward side. riders fail form part of echelon have work harder, , can dropped group with. crosswinds common on races near coast, , feature of belgian classic one-day races, or flat stages of tour de france.