Explain what the note “assumes an engine failure RTO” means in the Recommended Crosswind Component Guidleines means.
The “recommended” crosswind limit assumes the worst-case reject:
you’re rolling in a crosswind, you reject the takeoff, and at that moment one engine fails. The guideline exists to make sure you can keep the airplane on the runway while braking, possibly with only one reverser, as rudder effectiveness is decreasing.
Key takeaway:
It’s not about whether you can take off — it’s about whether you can reject safely without a runway excursion.
Scenario:
SFO 1L T/O, strong left crosswind.
At high speed you call “REJECT” as the left engine quits. The airplane yaws hard left while the wind pushes you right, rudder authority is bleeding off, and now you must keep it on centerline with nosewheel steering and differential braking.
The recommended crosswind limit is set so that scenario is still controllable.
