Runway Wind Components
Resolve a reported wind onto a specific runway using theta = windFromDeg - runwayHeadingDeg, headwindComponentKt = windSpeedKt * cos(theta) and crosswindComponentKt = windSpeedKt * sin(theta).
Description
Resolve a reported wind into signed headwind and crosswind components for a specific runway heading.
Runway Wind Components resolve a reported wind into signed headwind and crosswind components for a specific runway heading.
Use this before comparing a wind report with aircraft or runway operating limits, or when a performance calculation needs the along-runway component rather than total wind speed.
When to use Runway Wind Components
Use this before comparing a wind report with aircraft or runway operating limits, or when a performance calculation needs the along-runway component rather than total wind speed.
How it works
The calculator subtracts runway heading from the direction the wind comes from, then applies cosine for the headwind component and sine for the crosswind component. A negative headwind is a tailwind; the crosswind sign preserves side.1
Interpreting the result
Keep the input units, direction conventions, encoding, and ordering rules visible when reusing the result. Preserve the full returned value for downstream calculations and round only for presentation.
Assumptions and limitations
Headings must share the same magnetic or true reference. This geometric decomposition does not account for gust policy, runway contamination, terrain, wind shear, or aircraft-specific limitations.
References
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Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge — Federal Aviation Administration