How should I actually use the rudder in flight?

User Support Hub Aircraft & Systems
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I am a hobbyist with no real life experience or any kind of flight school. I just fly how I feel it works well. I do know what a coordinated turn is and the ball in the gauge I can use for that (although when turning with the ailerons the turns are already coordinated 99% of the time for me).

But in crosswinds, I still only use the ailerons. Should I be using the rudder as well? How exactly? How do I know how much rudder and how much ailerons I need? So far I’ve been managing fine with only ailerons but I’m sure it’s not proper flying that way!

For now let’s focus on smaller GA planes but I fly everything from the Comanche to the A300. I do have rudder pedals (not good ones though).

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If you’re trying to fly on a specific heading it’s just a case of pointing the nose of the aircraft towards the direction the wind is coming from, to compensate for it pushing you off-course.

Other than that continue to fly straight and level. Shouldn’t be any need for extra control inputs.

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Try some side-slipping or forward slipping to get a feel for your hardware. On some of the bigger aircraft you can really feel the rudder move the aircraft. You can even just steer them with your feet when you want a gentle turn.
Good rudder pedals make a difference. This guy explains how to use them correctly.

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