Figure 5-11 Vectors

CHAPTER FIVE

T-6A NAVIGATION

Figure 5-11 Vectors

510. TOTAL WIND COMPUTATION

Once you have the wind components, you can combine them to determine total wind. There are

several techniques by which you can determine the total wind. Several varying methods are

presented in the following paragraphs to determine the two elements of total wind (direction and

magnitude). Keep in mind that whatever technique you use, base it on the mathematics presented

in previous sections. In addition, choose your technique so that you can determine wind quickly

and accurately.

You can also estimate total wind magnitude quickly using the same guide you used in instrument

navigation.

LARGER WIND COMPONENT + 1/2 SMALLER WIND COMPONENT = TOTAL WIND

Figure 5-12 shows a 15 knot headwind and a 10 knot crosswind. Notice the lines or "vectors" are

drawn to approximate the magnitude of the wind. The crosswind line is 2/3 the length of the

headwind. With our wind vectors drawn to approximate scale, determining the wind direction

and magnitude is easy: simply complete the rectangle and draw a diagonal as shown in

Figure 5-12. The diagonal represents both the total wind direction and its magnitude.

5-26

FLIGHT PROCEDURES