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CA.V.E.K4FAA-S-ACS-7B · Nov 2023Knowledge

Effect of wind on ground track.

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Effect of wind on ground track.

Bottom line

The angle between the heading and the track is called drift angle. By determining the amount of drift, the pilot can counteract the effect of the wind and make the track of the aircraft coincide with the desired course.

Key numbers

Key numbers for Effect of wind on ground track.
NumberWhat it means
angle between heading and trackDrift angle
20 knots southward air mass, 1 hourWind example
100 knots with 20-knot westward air massHeadwind GS

FAA references

  1. PHAK ch. 16 (p. 16-9) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  2. AFH ch. 7 (p. 7-3) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  3. AFH ch. 7 (p. 7-5) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  4. PHAK ch. 16 (p. 16-13) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  5. AFH ch. 7 (p. 7-2) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  6. AFH ch. 4, Viewing the Airplane as an Energy System (p. 4-2) — FAA-H-8083-3C
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