Climb out from LHR today

[Navajo8686]

Whilst at Heathrow today I was able to witness some fascinating take-offs which required a large amount of side slip (apologies if incorrect term) to get going in a straight climb out. Some were far more 'angled than any others I have seen and were quite spectacular. Well done to the crews!

I have a couple of simple questions to satisfy my curiosity - is it the pilot managing the plane or the computer which aligns the aircraft at the correct angle? If it is (all) pilot is it a matter of mathematics or 'gut instinct' coupled with the requisite skills?

As a supplementary question what is the maximum angle of slip which can be applied?

MTIA and apologies if the answers should be very obvious to me! I never underestimate professional crew skills!

Navajo8686

[catchup]

Guess some wind today at LHR. If so, it's not a slip, we call it crab. The aircraft almost "weather-vanes" by itself to keep the runway track, if not steared to special heading.

Not only the "fully auto" buses.

:)

[Notso Fantastic]

There is no sideslip apart from a few seconds after lift off. The tail of the aeroplane is blown slightly. The aeroplane is just heading more into wind, the pilot adjusts the crab or drift so that he is flying runway direction. The aeroplane is flying just perfectly without slip- the wind is blowing it sideways to keep the track.

[Navajo8686]

Thanks both - question answered!

Navajo8686

[ALLDAYDELI]

equally some interesting approaches to 27L at EGLL this weekend.