Narrative:

This is a concern about crosswind limitations for scimitar equipped aircraft. Currently; the crosswind landing limitation of 35 knots on dry or wet runways is standard for our fleet. However; a note in the aircraft operations manual (aom) states: 'for aircraft with split scimitar winglets; bank angles greater than 8.8 degrees will result in the lower ventral strake striking the ground. To ensure sufficient ground clearance; do not use the sideslip (wing low) crosswind landing technique alone when crosswinds exceed 15 knots.' the problem with this note is that there is no other proper crosswind landing technique other than the wing low technique. This is the crosswind landing technique I learned early on as an aviator and have never seen another technique taught at company in ground school or in the simulator. In the aom the wing low crosswind landing technique is directed with the admonition; 'the longitudinal axis of the aircraft should be parallel with the runway prior to touchdown to prevent heavy side loads on the landing gear.' indeed; this is the correct crosswind landing technique. The only time landing in a crab is recommended is during crosswind landings on runways with reduced braking action. But the text continues with a seeming contradiction; 'however; it may be necessary to accept some crab on touchdown depending on factors such as aircraft winglet configuration and crosswind magnitude.' the question of how much crab is 'some' crab is not answered. Nor is the question of what constitutes a 'heavy' sideload.the 'guidance' for crosswind landings in scimitar equipped aircraft is little more than; 'don't foul it up.' due to the fact that 8.8 degrees wing down will result in a strake strike indicates to me that the fleet-wide crosswind landing limitation of 35 knots is unsafe for scimitar equipped aircraft. The crosswind landing limitation for scimitar equipped aircraft should be amended to allow for the use of the normal crosswind landing technique without potentially damaging the aircraft.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737-800 Captain reported he recommended the crosswind landing limitation for scimitar winglet equipped aircraft be amended to allow for the use of the normal crosswind landing technique without potentially damaging the aircraft.

Narrative: This is a concern about crosswind limitations for scimitar equipped aircraft. Currently; the crosswind landing limitation of 35 knots on dry or wet runways is standard for our fleet. However; a note in the Aircraft Operations Manual (AOM) states: 'For aircraft with split scimitar winglets; bank angles greater than 8.8 degrees will result in the lower ventral strake striking the ground. To ensure sufficient ground clearance; do not use the sideslip (wing low) crosswind landing technique alone when crosswinds exceed 15 knots.' The problem with this note is that there is no other proper crosswind landing technique other than the wing low technique. This is the crosswind landing technique I learned early on as an aviator and have never seen another technique taught at Company in Ground School or in the simulator. In the AOM the wing low crosswind landing technique is directed with the admonition; 'The longitudinal axis of the aircraft should be parallel with the runway prior to touchdown to prevent heavy side loads on the landing gear.' Indeed; this is the correct crosswind landing technique. The only time landing in a crab is recommended is during crosswind landings on runways with reduced braking action. But the text continues with a seeming contradiction; 'However; it may be necessary to accept some crab on touchdown depending on factors such as aircraft winglet configuration and crosswind magnitude.' The question of how much crab is 'some' crab is not answered. Nor is the question of what constitutes a 'heavy' sideload.The 'guidance' for crosswind landings in scimitar equipped aircraft is little more than; 'don't foul it up.' Due to the fact that 8.8 degrees wing down will result in a strake strike indicates to me that the fleet-wide crosswind landing limitation of 35 knots is unsafe for scimitar equipped aircraft. The crosswind landing limitation for scimitar equipped aircraft should be amended to allow for the use of the normal crosswind landing technique without potentially damaging the aircraft.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.