{
  "slug": "crosswind-component",
  "title": "Crosswind Component Calculator",
  "heading": "Crosswind Component Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/crosswind-component",
  "summary": "Headwind and crosswind components for a runway.",
  "description": "Compare the crosswind component against your aircraft's demonstrated limit before committing to a runway.",
  "formula": null,
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=crosswind-component",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "runway",
      "label": "Runway heading",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 90,
      "unit": "°",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 360
    },
    {
      "id": "windDir",
      "label": "Wind direction",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 130,
      "unit": "°",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 360
    },
    {
      "id": "windSpd",
      "label": "Wind speed",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 18,
      "unit": "kts",
      "min": null,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "limit",
      "label": "Demonstrated crosswind",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 15,
      "unit": "kts",
      "min": null,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "xw",
      "label": "Crosswind (kts)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "hw",
      "label": "Headwind (kts, negative = tailwind)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "angle",
      "label": "Wind angle (°)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "status",
      "label": "Limit check",
      "format": "raw",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Runway heading: 90 °",
      "Wind direction: 130 °",
      "Wind speed: 18 kts",
      "Demonstrated crosswind: 15 kts"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Crosswind (kts): 11.6",
      "Headwind (kts, negative = tailwind): 13.8",
      "Wind angle (°): 40",
      "Limit check: Within demonstrated limit"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter runway heading (°).",
      "Enter wind direction (°).",
      "Enter wind speed (kts).",
      "Enter demonstrated crosswind (kts).",
      "Read your crosswind (kts) on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "runway": 54,
        "windDir": 78,
        "windSpd": 11,
        "limit": 9
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "runway": 90,
        "windDir": 130,
        "windSpd": 18,
        "limit": 15
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "runway": 144,
        "windDir": 208,
        "windSpd": 29,
        "limit": 24
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "How does the crosswind component calculator work?",
      "a": "Compare the crosswind component against your aircraft's demonstrated limit before committing to a runway."
    },
    {
      "q": "What do I need to enter?",
      "a": "4 values: runway heading, wind direction, wind speed, and demonstrated crosswind. Each field starts with a sensible default, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result move."
    },
    {
      "q": "What does the crosswind (kts) result mean?",
      "a": "It is returned as a decimal number and updates live as you edit the inputs, so you can compare two or three versions of a scenario in a few seconds."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is this calculator free, and do I need an account?",
      "a": "Yes, it's free, and no account is required. Nothing you type is stored on our servers — the maths runs entirely in your browser."
    },
    {
      "q": "How accurate is the result?",
      "a": "It applies the standard formula exactly, so the arithmetic is precise. Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary."
    },
    {
      "q": "Who is this tool for?",
      "a": "It's built for anyone doing everyday planning maths — a quick estimate that would otherwise need four browser tabs and a calculator app."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/density-altitude"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Crosswind Component Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/crosswind-component)"
}