Thanks for that flybymike.
....if it was not possible to maintain the extended centreline whilst making an unbalanced wing down approach (I.e. not a balanced crabbed approach) without being blown off to one side, then unless the crosswind component diminishes in the flare and hold off (as is often the case) then the final outcome is unlikely to be a success.
Therefore, we have a visual/tactile indication of crosswind strength with both approaches. Are there any numerical rules-of-thumb that can be applied/derived w.r.t. amount of 'crab' and/or 'slip' required to hold the centreline? ie x deg drift = y kts crosswind.
(I realise as I'm writing this that this is simple wind-drift stuff or 'geometry' as Genghis pointed out! Apologies if i've learnt it for exams and forgotten it subsequently).
But couldn't the cross-controlling forces required to hold steady? at varying bank angles simulate a crosswind and therefore measure rudder authority or is that too simplistic?
Have I got this wrapped round my neck- could somebody unravel it for me please?
Thanks in advance