How Do Pilots Master Takeoffs & Landings During Crosswinds?

Crosswinds are what their name suggests: they are winds that aren’t blowing straight down the runway, but, rather, are blowing across it. It’s much easier for aircraft to take off and land in a headwind, and, as a rule of thumb, whichever runway is pointing nearest into the wind is chosen as the active runway. However, the closest runway into the windmay still not point directly into the wind, resulting in a crosswind. Here is what to know about takeoffs and landings during crosswinds.