Wind & Runway
Wind Components Calculator
Steady and gust head/cross components to check against your crosswind limit.
Inputs
°
°
kt
kt
Result
Steady crosswind
12kt
From the right
Steady headwind
14kt
Gust crosswind
Check against max demonstrated crosswind
18kt
Gust headwind
21kt
Formula
Ref- Crosswind = wind speed × sin(θ)
- Headwind = wind speed × cos(θ)
- Evaluate for both steady and gust speeds
Worked example
RefRunway 36 (360°), wind 040° at 18 kt gusting 28 kt.
- 1.θ = 040° − 360° = 40° off to the right.
- 2.Steady crosswind = 18 × sin(40°) = 11.6 kt.
- 3.Gust crosswind = 28 × sin(40°) = 18.0 kt.
- 4.Compare 18 kt against the aircraft max demonstrated crosswind.
Steady 11.6 kt / gust 18.0 kt crosswind from the right.
How it works
RefLimits are checked against the gust, not the mean. This tool reports both so you can confirm the peak crosswind stays inside the aircraft's maximum demonstrated crosswind and your personal minimums before committing to an approach.
DGCA student tip
ExamThe 'maximum demonstrated crosswind' in the POH is not a legal limit but is treated as one in most SOPs. Always size your decision on the gust value.
Common mistakes
Watch- Checking limits against the steady wind and ignoring the gust.
- Entering the gust lower than the steady wind (the tool treats that as no gust).
- Assuming a strong headwind cancels a crosswind — the two components are independent.