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Wind Components: Bearings and Variable Sectors

Resolve signed headwind and crosswind from true bearings, or compare component extrema across a complete wind direction and speed sector.

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Inputs that matter
Wind speed (m/s), Wind FROM bearing (° true), Reference direction (° true), Sources and assumptions, and 4 more
Output to expect
Wind components from bearings, Wind direction and speed envelope
  • Check the units and required inputs before comparing results.
  • Keep the assumptions with a copied result so you can reproduce the calculation later.
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Reference & details

How it works

Wind components from bearings

Resolve a meteorological wind FROM bearing against a runway, launch-facing direction or intended track. The signs retain tailwind and winds from either side. Components describe the entered observation; they do not rate a site or authorize flight.

Headwind = V cos(from − reference); crosswind from right = V sin(from − reference).

Wind direction and speed envelope

Find component extrema for a supplied clockwise direction sector and speed interval. Endpoints and all intervening cardinal extrema are considered, including sectors across north. The envelope permits any combination inside the two intervals; it does not forecast their joint occurrence.

Evaluate V cos θ and V sin θ at speed endpoints, sector endpoints and enclosed 90° extrema.

Updated: September 2026

Example Scenarios

Use the example to inspect the method and breakdown, then enter your own documented observations or equipment data.

→ 5 m/s crosswind

Use the example to inspect the method and breakdown, then enter your own documented observations or equipment data.

→ 5 m/s largest crosswind magnitude

FAQ

Resolve a meteorological wind FROM bearing against a runway, launch-facing direction or intended track. The signs retain tailwind and winds from either side. Components describe the entered observation; they do not rate a site or authorize flight. Find component extrema for a supplied clockwise direction sector and speed interval. Endpoints and all intervening cardinal extrema are considered, including sectors across north. The envelope permits any combination inside the two intervals; it does not forecast their joint occurrence.

Retain the measurement time and location, equipment or source document, units and assumptions. Examples illustrate the calculation and must be replaced with your own actual data before saving a personal case.

Use Save planning case for an explicit local history entry. Copy MD includes inputs and notes; Download CSV exports the result breakdown. Keep portable copies and save a separate case after changing the assumptions.

About Wind Components: Bearings and Variable Sectors

Resolve a meteorological wind FROM bearing against a runway, launch-facing direction or intended track. The signs retain tailwind and winds from either side. Components describe the entered observation; they do not rate a site or authorize flight. Find component extrema for a supplied clockwise direction sector and speed interval. Endpoints and all intervening cardinal extrema are considered, including sectors across north. The envelope permits any combination inside the two intervals; it does not forecast their joint occurrence.