Wind correction angle calculator
Flying a track in wind means pointing somewhere else. The wind correction angle is the difference between heading and track.
kt
kt
nm
Heading to fly
101.4degrees
- Wind correction angle
- 11.35 degrees
- Ground speed
- 95.35 kt
- Time for the leg
- 1:15:31
- Headwind component
- 12.50 kt
- Crosswind component
- 21.65 kt
- Time lost to the wind
- 0:10:03
Show the working
- Desired track = 90
- True airspeed = 110
- Wind from = 150
- Wind speed = 25
- Leg distance = 120
- wind_angle = rad(150 - 90) = 1.0472
- Crosswind component = 25 * sin(1.0472) = 21.6506
- Headwind component = 25 * cos(1.0472) = 12.5
- wca_rad = 110 > 0 ? asin(clamp(21.6506/110, -1, 1)) : 0 = 0.198 117
- Wind correction angle = deg(0.198 117) = 11.3513
- Heading to fly = mod(90 + 11.3513, 360) = 101.351
- Ground speed = 110 * cos(0.198 117) - 12.5 = 95.3483
- time_hours = 95.3483 > 0 ? 120 / 95.3483 : 0 = 1.258 54
- Time for the leg = 1.258 54 * 3600 = 4530.76
- still_air_time = 110 > 0 ? 120 / 110 * 3600 : 0 = 3927.27
- Time lost to the wind = 4530.76 - 3927.27 = 603.486
Values are shown to six significant figures here; the arithmetic itself runs on exact fractions and is only rounded where a number is printed.
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The formula
- wind correction angle = arcsin(crosswind / TAS)
- ground speed = TAS cos(WCA) - headwind component
A round trip in wind always takes longer than the same trip in still air, because the headwind leg costs more time than the tailwind leg saves.
This is a planning and study tool. Use certified charts, an approved flight manual and official publications for anything operational.