Wind Correction Angle Calculator
Solve an offline educational wind triangle using true bearings.
A QUICK WALKTHROUGH
How to use this tool
- Enter the values in the labeled units.
- Calculate and review the result.
- Change inputs to clear the previous result.
Method and limits
All bearings are true, not magnetic; wind direction is where wind comes FROM. Positive WCA turns clockwise/right, negative left; add WCA to course to cancel drift. Bearings wrap to [0°,360°). Reject |crosswind| ≥ TAS and non-positive groundspeed. No magnetic declination, live weather or navigation advice. E = −W sin(β); N = −W cos(β); cross = E cos(c) − N sin(c); along = E sin(c) + N cos(c); WCA = asin(−cross/TAS); GS = TAS cos(WCA) + along. c = true course, β = wind-from true bearing, W = wind speed; trigonometry uses radians.
Sources
https://www.faa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/pilot_handbook.pdf · https://aviationweather.gov/help/data/
How is the result used?
For education only; never use this result for flight or navigation decisions. Inputs stay in this browser; nothing is sent.
GOOD TO KNOW
Common questions
How is the result used?
For education only; never use this result for flight or navigation decisions.