Crosswind is the component of the wind that blows perpendicular to the aircraft’s direction of flight. It can affect an aircraft’s stability during takeoff and landing, making it an important parameter for pilots to consider. Here’s the formula, definition, and SI unit for crosswind:
Formula for Crosswind (CW): The formula for calculating crosswind is as follows:
- Headwind (HW): The component of the wind blowing directly opposite to the aircraft’s direction of flight, typically measured in knots (kt), meters per second (m/s), or kilometers per hour (km/h).
- Wind Speed: The total speed of the wind, typically measured in knots (kt), meters per second (m/s), or kilometers per hour (km/h).
- Wind Angle: The angle between the aircraft’s heading and the direction from which the wind is coming, measured in degrees