How the Wind Triangle Works

The wind triangle is a vector diagram that relates three quantities: the aircraft’s heading and true airspeed (TAS), the wind direction and speed, and the resulting ground track (course) and ground speed (GS). Pilots use it for cross-country flight planning to determine what heading to fly in order to track a desired course.

Wind Correction Angle (WCA) = arcsin(Wind Speed × sin(Wind Angle) / TAS). This is the angle you must “crab” into the wind to maintain your desired course.
True Heading = True Course + WCA. If the wind is from the right, you correct to the right (positive WCA). From the left, you correct left.
Ground Speed is the resultant of the TAS vector plus the wind vector. A headwind decreases GS; a tailwind increases it.

On an E6B flight computer, you solve this on the “wind side” by plotting the wind dot and reading off WCA and ground speed. This calculator performs the same trigonometry instantly.

Can You Solve Wind Problems Under Exam Pressure?

Wind triangle problems appear on every FAA knowledge test — PPL, Instrument, Commercial, and Part 107. Can you solve them without a calculator?

An aircraft is flying a true course of 270° at a TAS of 120 kt. The wind is from 310° at 25 kt. What is the approximate wind correction angle?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wind Correction Angle (WCA)?

The WCA is the angle between your desired ground track (true course) and the heading you must fly to compensate for wind drift. If wind is blowing from your right, you turn your heading to the right to “crab” into the wind and maintain course.

What is the difference between true heading and true course?

True course is the direction of your intended ground track measured from true north. True heading is the direction the aircraft’s nose is pointed. The difference between them is the wind correction angle.

How does wind affect ground speed?

A direct headwind reduces ground speed (GS = TAS - wind speed). A direct tailwind increases it. Crosswinds have a smaller effect on ground speed but require a heading correction. The actual GS depends on the full wind triangle vector solution.

When do I use wind correction on a real flight?

Wind correction is essential during cross-country flight planning, instrument approaches, holding patterns, and any time you need to track a specific course. During flight, you refine your WCA by observing drift relative to ground references or using GPS track information.

What is an E6B and how does it relate?

The E6B flight computer is a manual circular slide rule used by pilots. Its “wind side” solves the same wind triangle problem this calculator handles digitally. You plot a wind dot, align the true course, and read off WCA and ground speed.

Wind Correction Angle (WCA) Calculator

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