What is a crosswind component, and is it important to know?

Question

What is a crosswind component, and is it important to know?

Answer 1

If you are a pilot, it is essential to know; it appears on the written test for a certificate. The prevailing winds around an aircraft operation can come from any direction; in cruise, from behind is good.  The wind can be resolved into crosswind and headwind/tailwind components, and the crosswind will require a heading correction during cruise and appropriate technique during landing.

Answer 2

If you are able to drive from point A to point B in a straight line all you have to do is keep your car pointed at point B and you will get there.  Time taken will be distance divided by speed.

If you are flying, the road, air, is moving.  So even though you started out pointed at Point B you won't get there.  Crosswind Component is knowing where the air is taking you.  By knowing the direction and speed of the Air movement, Crosswind Component, you can correct your heading to steer in a direction that will get you to Point B and by vectors, or geometry, know the time required.

Crosswind Component also figures into your landing procedure, but that's another topic.  Hope this simple explanation helps.

Answer 3

By definition, cross wind component is that wind strength which is blowing from any direction other than your heading.

So, wind not coming straight from your 12 O'clock would be a "cross wind" and its strength proportionate to your head wind would be the cross wind component. Practically, Caretaker has depicted it perfectly. So the cross wind component is the wind which pushes you off course.

In navigation, you have to cater for the cross wind component since it will upset your heading and fuel consumption. It is critical while landing necessitating use of 'crab' or other similar techniques to cater for the cross wind during touch down. On take off, prior to rotation, the rudder is used to correct for the cross wind. After rotation ailerons also come into play. Cross wind component can be from any direction, either head or tail, apart from blowing across the course.

Answer 4

Crosswind is the flow of air that cuts across the flightpath. So say you're travelling due north.

A crosswind would be from the east or west.

A tailwind would be from the south.

A headwind would be from the north.

Knowing where your crosswind is coming from is very important on landings, because you have to yaw your aircraft into the wind and adjust your speed accordingly, otherwise the wind, if it's strong enough, will toss you across the runway.

Take a look on windy days at pilots of small aircraft as they come in on approach. You should notice that their noses are pointing in the direction of where the wind is coming from, and up until they touch down, they'll hold that flight path. It looks like they're coming in funny, but they're really dealing with crosswinds.

Crosswinds are also important when dealing with your route. If you were to fly due north and not check your landmarks or constantly correct your path, with a crosswind, you'll be slowly blown off course and end up away from your markers or destination.

Answer 5

The crosswind component is the actual force the wind has on your aircraft in regard to the ground.  If you have the wind is blowing exactly down the runway your crosswind component is zero... even if it is a tailwind.. because... it's *cross* wind that is being considered. That instance would be either 100% tailwind or headwind and 0% x-wind

  Is it important to know... sure... but it remains common sense...  if you have a 90 degree crosswind that is 5 kts  it is going to be about the same as 45 degree crosswind that is 10 kts.  The actual component can be computed on the chart in your AOM or AFM and it is in every pilot handbook, AIM, etc...  it is simple geometry. Just average the two forces.

Crosswind limitation for a specific airplane is the Max demonstrated crosswind that was recorded during the certification process of the airplane.  When you get the airplane slow enough the control effectiveness drops off.. and you can have the controls to full travel and no longer be able to counter act the effects of the crosswind.  At this point it is a good bet that  have reached the max demonstrated crosswind component.  Note that the difference between a 10 kt crosswind and a 10 kt crosswind component may be significant.  You can have a 10 kt cross wind that is maybe 20-30 degrees off the heading of the runway...  that is not a 10 kt component.. a true 90 degree cross wind of 10 kts would give you a 10 kt. Component.

If you watch crosswind landings, you will see that 90% of them do not get the nose wheel on the stripe and the fuselage aligned with the runway..  most pilots are just not willing to stick the rudder in there and line up the plane and prevent "side loading" the gear.  If you go watch guys that flew spray planes, biplanes, tail draggers, etc.. you will see it done correctly..  just a moment before the upwind wheel touches, the nose will line up with the runway and you can roll it on so smooth you never feel it touch.. and it is actually easier to get a perfect grease job landing in a crosswind than it is in calm air.