Wind Correction Angle Calculator
Use our wind correction angle calculator to calculate wind correction angle (WCA) and heading from true airspeed, course, wind speed, and wind direction. Includes the wind correction angle formula used in aviation and an E6B-style step-by-step method.
Wind Correction Angle in Aviation
Wind correction angle (WCA) is the angle you must steer left or right of your intended course to compensate for wind drift.
In aviation, WCA helps you maintain the desired ground track when wind is pushing the aircraft sideways. Your corrected heading becomes the direction you actually fly to stay on course.
This calculator uses true airspeed, course, wind speed, and wind direction to return the wind correction angle (θ) and the resulting heading (φ).
Wind Correction Angle Formula
WCA is based on the crosswind component relative to the course, using standard wind triangle relationships.
β is wind direction (from), α is course. Use degrees.
Positive/negative sign indicates drift direction relative to course.
If |XW| > TrueAirspeed, the solution is not physically possible for maintaining the course.
Add θ to course (with sign). A negative θ means steer left of course; positive θ means steer right.
Negative θ indicates correcting left to hold the course.
How to Calculate Wind Correction Angle
- 1
Enter true airspeed (kn).
- 2
Enter course (α) in degrees.
- 3
Enter wind speed (kn).
- 4
Enter wind direction (β) in degrees (direction the wind is coming from).
Frequently Asked Questions
Compute the crosswind relative to your course, then divide by true airspeed and take arcsin: θ = arcsin((WindSpeed × sin(β−α)) / TAS).
An E6B uses the wind triangle graphically. The math version calculates crosswind and uses arcsin to get WCA, then adds it to course to get heading.
A common form is θ = arcsin((W × sin(β−α)) / TAS), where W is wind speed, β is wind direction (from), and α is course.
A common approximation is WCA (deg) ≈ (crosswind / true airspeed) × 60, which can be close for small angles. The calculator uses the trigonometric method for more accuracy.
The sign indicates direction. Negative usually means correcting left of course, and positive means correcting right, depending on the angle convention.