Crosswind component

Crosswind component is the portion of the wind blowing perpendicular to a runway or aircraft path. It is expressed in knots and depends on wind speed and the angle between the wind direction and runway heading. A direct crosswind produces the largest lateral component for a given wind speed.

How it works

The calculation uses the sine of the angle between the runway heading and the direction the wind is coming from. A wind aligned with the runway has a crosswind component near zero. A wind 90 degrees from the runway has a crosswind component equal to the wind speed. The crosswind calculator shows the crosswind alongside the headwind or tailwind component.

Runway and wind directions should use the same reference. Airport wind reports normally give the direction from which the wind comes, while a runway number represents its magnetic heading rounded to the nearest ten degrees.

Example

A runway heading is 270° and the wind is from 320° at 18 knots. The angle is 50°, so the crosswind component is about 13.8 knots. The exact value changes if the wind direction or speed changes.

Why it matters

The crosswind component helps a pilot compare the wind with the aircraft's POH crosswind guidance and personal proficiency. It does not determine whether a takeoff or landing is appropriate. Runway width, surface condition, gusts, obstacles, aircraft loading, and technique also affect the operation.

Use current wind information and verify aircraft-specific guidance in the applicable POH or AFM. A calculated component is a planning reference, not an operational approval.

Related terms and tools

• Headwind component
• Tailwind component
• Crosswind calculator
• FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge