Crosswind Confidence – Alan Zielinski, DPE, ATP, CFII

We are pleased to have Alan Zielinski present his tips and tricks for mastering crosswinds. Alan has given this topic considerable time as it ruins many too many airplanes every year. Because, if there is a single word Alan would want to be identified – and wants you to embrace – it would be “curious.” Making good landings is great, understanding the principles and being able to explain them is yet another skill entirely. Similar to how we have (hopefully) come to understand how the stabilized approach is a critical success factor, choosing the best runway and the entry when we have significant crosswinds are the first two components to mastering this essential skill.

Biography: Alan Zielinski

Alan is a well-known FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and flight instructor in the Great Chicago area for aircraft and balloons. As a single-engine and jet pilot, instructor, and examiner, he has over 11,000 hours of accident-free flying experience. He is one of us, an aviation addict, flying his own Cessna Skylane and his client’s Cessna Citation, as well as gliders and balloons, clearly, Alan has a passion for flying! He is also the president of the Chicago Flight Instructor Association, advancing the knowledge, understanding, and capabilities of the local rank-and-file instructors.

Alan has been awarded “The Spence Award” by the Chicago Flight Examiners Association and “The Theo Award” by Chicago Flight Instructors Association for his contributions to aviation safety and leadership within the aviation community.