answersLogoWhite

0

A crosswind is any wind that is not in the same direction as travel. The crosswind component is perpendicular to the direction of travel ( 90 degrees).

Mathematically, the crosswind component is the speed times the sine of the angle relative to the direction of travel.

For example if a plane travels NORTH and there is a crosswind from the EAST ( 90 degrees) at 20 mph the crosswind component is 20 mph ( 20 sin90 = 20)

For another example if a plane travels NORTH and there is a crosswind from the NORTHEAST ( 45 degrees) at 20 mph the crosswind component is 14.1mph ( 20 sin45 = 14.1)

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?