Wind Correction Angle Calculator (heading & ground speed, wind triangle)

Understanding the wind correction angle calculator — concept and principle

To fly a straight course over the ground in a crosswind, a pilot points the aircraft's nose slightly into the wind. This calculator solves the wind triangle: from true course, true airspeed and the wind, it gives the wind correction angle, the true heading to fly, the ground speed, the crosswind component and the time en route for a leg.

Turning 13.6° into the wind keeps the track on 090°, but ground speed falls to 88 kt.

How it is calculated

β = wind direction − true course

Crosswind X = W × sin β; headwind H = W × cos β

WCA = arcsin(X ÷ TAS) (positive = nose right)

True heading = true course + WCA

Ground speed GS = TAS × cos WCA − H

Time en route = distance ÷ GS

Directions in degrees true; speeds in knots; distance in nautical miles.

The principle

The aircraft moves through the air at its true airspeed, while the air itself moves over the ground with the wind. The path over the ground is the sum of these two vectors. To keep that sum along the desired course, the aircraft must point partly into the wind so that its sideways component cancels the crosswind; the sine relation gives the needed angle. Whatever remains of the airspeed along the course, minus the headwind component, is the ground speed. This is the same wind triangle that pilots draw on paper or solve with a flight computer.

Worked example

Default inputs: true course 090°, TAS 120 kt, wind from 045° at 40 kt, leg 150 NM.

β = 45 − 90 = −45°; crosswind = 40 × sin(−45°) = −28.3 kt (28.3 kt from the left); headwind = 40 × cos 45° = 28.3 kt.
WCA = arcsin(−28.3 ÷ 120) = −13.6°, so 13.6°, nose to the left.
True heading = 90 − 13.6 = 76.4°, flown as 076°.
GS = 120 × cos 13.6° − 28.3 = 116.6 − 28.3 = 88 kt; the wind costs −31.7 kt.
Time en route = 150 ÷ 88.3 = 1.70 h = 1 h 42 min.

Each point is the calculator re-run with only “True course (°)” changed; the gold point is the default example. Change the inputs above and this chart follows your numbers.

True course (°)	True heading to fly (°)
22.5	30
45	45
67.5	60
90	76
112	95
135	116
180	166

How to read the result

Fly the true heading, then convert it to a magnetic heading with the local variation and to a compass heading with deviation. Strong headwinds can lengthen a leg's time considerably, which affects fuel planning. These figures match the worked example in the FAA's Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.

Common mistakes

Mixing magnetic course with true winds aloft.
Applying the correction in the wrong direction; turn into the wind.
Using indicated instead of true airspeed.
Forgetting that wind changes with altitude and time.

Keep in mind: This is a planning aid. Use current forecasts, approved aircraft data and proper flight planning for real flights.

Frequently asked questions

Which way do I correct for wind?

Turn the nose into the wind: wind from the left means correct to the left.

Are winds aloft forecasts true or magnetic?

Forecast winds aloft are given in degrees true.

What if the crosswind exceeds the airspeed?

The course cannot be held; the calculator warns you.

How do I get the compass heading?

Apply magnetic variation to the true heading, then compass deviation.

Sources: FAA, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C, 2023), chapter 16 "Navigation" (wind triangle worked example)

Checked 9 Nov 2026. FAA, Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C, 2023), ch. 16 “Navigation”, wind triangle / vector analysis worked example (TC 090°, wind 045° at 40 kt, TAS 120 kt → WCA 14° left, TH 076°, GS 88 kt).

Your numbers