Airliner landing technique

"William W. Plummer" wrote:


Here's an explanation by a highly qualified (F-4G, F-16, and B-52) USAF
pilot:

" In landing the B-52 with its very long wings, it is imperative to
have the wings level through touchdown, the landing "trucks" aligned
with the runway, and the aircraft fuselage crabbed in to the wind.

On final approach, the crew notes the wind speed and direction
and, using a handy "crosswind landing chart," computes the number of
degrees that the landing "trucks" must be offset to ensure they are
aligned down the runway on landing. Then the pilot or copilot reaches
down to a mechanism sitting between the pilots and "dials in" the
appropriate number of degrees of offset for the trucks. This procedure
is accomplished for EVERY landing.

As I recall, normal (non wartime) procedures routinely allowed
for 20 degrees of offset. More offset is possible but slightly
uncomfortable for the new pilot making such a landing as he will not be
looking straight ahead at touchdown but rather he will be looking toward
his left or right shoulder."

But, the B-52 is very, very different than civil jet transport aircraft. It
has crosswind landing gear.