Wind Correction

[EHM-2144 Terry]

Could someone confirm to me that when taking wind direction into account the direction is taken from where the wind is coming from and not where it's blowing to.

Terry

[EHM-1009 Kevin]

I believe that if you are flying a heading of 270 and the wind is at 270/65 you have a very strong tail wind if the wind was at 90/65 you would have a very strong head wind. hope this answers yr question.

[EHM-1651 Christian]

The wind is always named by direction is originating.

[EHM-1001 Robert]

Exactly I think the above example was not good.

What I do not understand with winds, is why you should steer a little to wind direction when landing ? For example, if you have a left wind you need to steer a little to the left (against it) :s As the wind hits the tail mainly, I do not understand this phenom

[EHM-1612 Paolo]

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/4981/windcorrectionlo8.gif

If the rwy is BA (approximately hdg 200), the wind is blowing from 315° at 40knots, you need to correct to hdg 230 to center the runway.
If you don't correct hdg wind pushes you on the right, you'll land but probably on a farm or a field
I've never calculated it, you just try it and you get the correct hdg quite easily
Hope this helps

[EHM-1570 Bruce]

When approaching in a high cross wind you have to crab towards the runway using the rudder, which has to be in the direction of the cross wind ie lefthand wind = left rudder, you hold this crabbing attitude until just before touchdown then you kickout (straighten the rudder). The amount of rudder will depend on the wind strength, but if you do a few practice landings with a cross wind you will very quickly get the feel of how much rudder is required.

[EHM-2144 Terry]

Thanks for the answers guys but little confused as I would be :%  
If I say, I was hdg 360 and the wind indicator shows that the wind is coming from 90 @14.  Then would it be correct in saying that the wind is blowing across the a/c from starboard to port at 14knts which would mean that I would have to apply right rudder to correct.

With the panel I'm using, this is how I read it.

Hopefully I wont be to embarrased:$ at the replies:o:$

Terry
EHM-2144

[EHM-1465 Dominic]

Terry,

You got it exactly right

And if you'd like to understand this topic a bit better, have a look at this great website by Charles Wood which covers wind correction in the "Air Navigation" section and is a great tutorial for Navigation in general

[EHM-1570 Bruce]

Terry
 
Another quick note on the use of the rudder, you will have to apply the same actions with the rudder if you have an engine out, you will have to apply rudder in the direction of the GOOD engine in order to straighten out the aircraft.

[EHM-2144 Terry]

Thanks everyone, very helpful.  This has put me right on course / wind correction and related problems.

A great website Dominic which I will inwardly digest over the coming weeks and months.    Great reading material for navigation etc.

I will remember what you said Bruce when I get an engine failure, i hope

Thanks again guys.

Terry
EHM-2144

[EHM-1612 Paolo]

Sorry, I have a question too... Can I use rudder on take off if I have strong winds?

[EHM-2029 Sotiris]

Most definitely, I would have thought...
Isn't it how you steer your plane on the ground anyway?
I have been taking off with light moderate rudder for a long time, never had an issue.
Same in real life, at least as far Cessnas are concerned.
(I know you're supposed to use the nosewheel but FS makes no distinction)

[EHM-1570 Bruce]

Paolo

You use the rudder at any time that the aircraft tries to slew to  one side or the other. whether it be due to wind or engine failure.

[EHM-1612 Paolo]

Hmm, okay thx Bruce and Sotiris, just another doubt, do I have to kickout when I rotate?

[EHM-1570 Bruce]

Paolo

You will have to hold the rudder until you enable the auto pilot if the slew is due to the wind, if you have an engine go out on takeoff you will have to return to the airport after dumping some fuel and do an approach still holding the rudder. If you get an engine out on takeoff you should try always to keep the dead engine up (Make any turns in the direction of the good engine). You only kickout just before touch down.

[EHM-1612 Paolo]

Alright, thank you so much Bruce, now I'll start practicing