1. What is Runway Crosswind?

The runway crosswind component is the portion of the wind that acts perpendicular to the runway heading. It's a critical factor in aviation as it affects aircraft control during takeoff and landing.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the crosswind formula:

Where:

• Wind Speed — Wind velocity in knots
• Heading — Runway direction in degrees
• Wind Direction — Wind origin direction in degrees

Explanation: The sine function extracts the perpendicular component of the wind relative to the runway heading.

3. Importance of Crosswind Calculation

Details: Knowing the crosswind component helps pilots determine if conditions are within aircraft limits and prepare for proper control inputs during critical phases of flight.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter wind speed in knots, runway heading in degrees (e.g., 09 for runway 09 = 90°), and wind direction in degrees from which the wind is coming. All values must be valid (wind speed > 0, angles between 0-360).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a safe crosswind limit?
A: This varies by aircraft type. Light aircraft typically have limits around 15-20 knots, while airliners may handle 30+ knots.

Q2: How is headwind calculated?
A: Headwind is calculated using cosine instead of sine: Wind Speed × cos(Heading - Wind Direction).

Q3: What's the maximum crosswind component?
A: The maximum possible crosswind equals the wind speed (when wind is exactly 90° to runway).

Q4: How do you interpret negative crosswind values?
A: Negative values indicate crosswind from the opposite side (left vs right). The magnitude is what matters.

Q5: Why use degrees instead of runway numbers?
A: The calculator uses degrees for precise calculation. Remember runway numbers ×10 = heading (e.g., runway 18 = 180°).