EASA NAV(A)advanced
Explain how wind affects heading, course, and groundspeed during a planned flight.
Answer
Wind adds a velocity vector to the aircraft's velocity through the air. Crosswind causes drift, so the aircraft must adjust heading by a wind correction angle to maintain the desired course. Headwind or tailwind components alter groundspeed and therefore flight time.
Explanation
The aircraft's movement over the ground is the vector sum of its motion through the air and the wind. A crosswind changes the ground track unless the pilot applies a **WCA**; an along-track headwind or tailwind changes **groundspeed**, which changes time en route. **Key takeaway:** Correct heading for crosswind and use groundspeed for time calculations. **Glossary:** Drift: cross-track movement due to wind; WCA: heading correction used to maintain course.
Related Questions
- What distance corresponds to one degree of latitude along any meridian?(basic)
- What is the distance between 150°E and 151°E along the equator?(basic)
- What is the difference in latitude between A (12°53′30″N) and B (07°34′30″S)?(basic)
- At approximately which latitudes are the Earth's two polar circles—the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle—located?(basic)
- At latitudes other than the equator, one degree of longitude spans less distance than one degree of longitude at the equator.(basic)
Want to practice more questions like this?
Join myBenkio free and practice past questions for your Nigerian university courses with AI explanations for every answer.
Start Practicing Free