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A pilot wants to take off on runway 36, the reported wind is 240 degrees, 12 knots. What is the value of the wind components acting on the aircraft on take-off and landing?

  • A

    Crosswind from the right 10.4 kt; Tailwind 6 kt.

  • B

    Crosswind from the left 10.4 kt; Tailwind 6 kt.

  • C

    Crosswind from the left 6 kt; Tailwind 10.4 kt.

  • D

    Crosswind from the right 6 kt; Headwind 10.4 kt.

The wind velocity is made of two components, one acting along the take-off direction called the longitudinal (either headwind or tailwind) component, and the other acting across the take-off direction called the crosswind component.

It is possible to calculate the two components taking the sine and the cosine of the angle difference between the take-off direction and the wind direction:

  • Longitudinal component = Wind Speed x cos(Take off - Wind direction)
  • Crosswind component = Wind Speed x sin(Take off - Wind direction)

Thus, the Longitudinal component is: 12 kt x cos (360° - 240°) = -6 kt. The minus (-) sign implies that the longitudinal component is a tailwind.

And the Crosswind component is: 12 kt x sin (360° - 240°) = 10.4 kt.

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