What is the maximum cross wind allowable on the LZ to accept aircraft before having to issue an advisory?

• A. 5 knots
• B. 7 knots
• C. 3 knots
• D. 9 knots

Answer: (D)

Crosswind control for accepting an aircraft into an LZ is about ensuring the pilot can maintain stable control and the ground crew can safely manage the sling load, even with lateral wind forces. The maximum crosswind allowable is 9 knots. This limit provides a practical balance: enough wind authority for the pilot to correct drift and keep the load tracking toward the center of the LZ, while still giving you a clear trigger to issue an advisory if winds approach or exceed that value. An advisory at this threshold helps coordinate safety and decision-making, such as delaying entry, selecting a different LZ, or adjusting approach technique. Lower limits would be overly restrictive and cause unnecessary advisories, while a higher limit would reduce warning time and increase risk during precise positioning.