Figure 4.6-4 In-Flight Wind Estimation

CALCULATING IN-FLIGHT WINDS

To calculate in-flight winds, analyze the affect that the winds have already had and

determine the direction of the wind from that analysis. As in chapter 5 preflight wind

problems, remember to erase the wheel before starting each new problem.

SITUATION: The TH of your EA-6B War-Prowler is 350 with a TAS of 150 kts. GS has

been determined to be 160 kts, and the Track is 355. What is the wind?

ESTIMATE! First compare TAS to GS to determine HW/TW component: GS<TAS =HW.

Now, compare TH to TK: TH<TK means a Right Drift which is caused by a Left Crosswind.

We know that we are experiencing a Left Tailwind. The 10% Rule states that at a TAS of

150 kts, 15 kts of crosswind will give us about 6 of drift. A drift angle of 5 would only

require about 13 knots of crosswind. The inflight wind would be closer to the wing line at

about 225/18 knots (Figure 4.6-4).

Figure 4.6-4 In-Flight Wind Estimation

4.6-131