What is the crosswind component for a Rwy 13 landing when the surface wind is 180° at 25 knots?

To determine the crosswind component for a runway landing, it’s essential to understand how wind direction and runway orientation interact. In this scenario, the runway is aligned at a heading of 130 degrees, and the wind is coming from 180 degrees at 25 knots.

The first step is to calculate the angle between the wind direction and the runway heading. The difference between 180 degrees (wind direction) and 130 degrees (runway heading) is 50 degrees. This angle is crucial for calculating the crosswind component using some basic trigonometry.

The formula for determining the crosswind component is:

Crosswind Component = Wind Speed × sin(angle)

Using the wind speed of 25 knots and the angle of 50 degrees:

Crosswind Component = 25 knots × sin(50°)

Using a calculator, the sine of 50 degrees is approximately 0.766. Thus,

Crosswind Component = 25 knots × 0.766 ≈ 19.15 knots.

Rounding this figure leads to a crosswind component that is close to 19 knots, making B the correct answer. This calculation illustrates how pilots assess the wind’s impact on takeoff and landing, allowing them to adjust their approach and maintain control of