Heading Wind Correction Calculator
To fly a precise track over the ground when there is a crosswind, the pilot must aim the nose upwind of the desired course by the wind correction angle (WCA). This calculator uses the exact trigonometric formula WCA = arcsin(wind speed x sin(wind angle to course) / TAS) to determine the WCA, and adds it to the true course to find the true heading to fly. Enter the true course, true airspeed, wind direction (the direction the wind is blowing FROM), and wind speed. A positive WCA is applied to the left of course (for a right crosswind) and a negative WCA to the right. The result gives the true heading to fly.
Wind correction angle formula
Wind Angle to Course = True Course - Wind Direction (resolved to -180 to +180)
WCA (degrees) = arcsin(Wind Speed x sin(Wind Angle) / TAS)
True Heading = True Course - WCA
The sign of the WCA depends on the geometry. If wind is from the right (positive wind angle relative to course), the WCA is positive and the nose is turned right. The true heading = TC - WCA. This formula is from the FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 16. Note: wind angle here uses a signed convention where right of course is positive.
Applying variation and deviation
- True Heading + East Variation = Magnetic Heading (or minus West Variation).
- Magnetic Heading + East Deviation = Compass Heading (or minus West Deviation).
- Magnetic variation is found on VFR sectional charts (isogonic lines).
- Compass deviation is on the deviation card in the aircraft cockpit.
- The mnemonic is: True Virgins Make Dull Company Await (TC, Variation, MC, Deviation, CC, Add West).
Heading wind correction calculator: frequently asked questions
What is the wind correction angle?
The wind correction angle (WCA) is the number of degrees the aircraft's nose must be offset from the desired track (true course) to compensate for crosswind and fly the intended route over the ground. A WCA of 5 degrees left means the nose is pointed 5 degrees left of course.
What formula is used to calculate WCA?
WCA = arcsin(WS x sin(angle between course and wind) / TAS). The angle between course and wind is |TC - Wind Direction|. This exact formula gives the wind correction angle directly. The true heading to fly is then TC plus or minus the WCA.
When does the WCA formula fail?
The arcsin formula requires WS x sin(angle) / TAS to be between -1 and 1. If the wind speed is greater than the TAS, the aircraft cannot maintain the desired track and the formula returns an invalid result. This situation (wind faster than airspeed) makes the track impossible without drifting.
What is the difference between WCA from arcsin and the full vector triangle?
The arcsin formula gives WCA directly when the wind crosses the course at a known angle. The full vector triangle (used in the wind triangle calculator) also gives ground speed simultaneously. Both give the same WCA when applied correctly.
How is magnetic heading derived from true heading?
Magnetic heading = True heading - Magnetic variation. Compass heading then accounts for compass deviation. Variation is the angle between true north and magnetic north at your location, available from VFR sectional charts or the Chart Supplement.
Official sources
- FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25B), Chapter 16 Navigation: faa.gov.
- FAA Aeronautical Information Manual: faa.gov.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 June 2026. See our methodology.