User Guide

Learning To Fly with Rod Machado
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7
3. Applying a Wind
Correction – Once you’re
reestablished on course, the
third step is to apply a wind
correction. You must
compensate for the wind’s push
by heading the airplane into the
wind. How much? That depends
on several variables, one of
which is the wind’s speed and
direction. Actually, these
variables don’t really matter all
that much. Just start with a 10-
degree wind correction angle
and see what happens. You
may not get it on the first try,
but don’t worry. Once you’re on
course, turn the airplane so it’s
pointed 10 degrees into the
wind (which means it’s now
heading 020 degrees as shown
by Airplane D in Figure 13). Be
patient, Grasshopper. Wait to
see what happens.
As you can see, Airplane E is
tracking directly to the VOR
station on the 030-degree
course. The needle hasn’t
moved. Congratulations! You’ve
successfully corrected for wind.
And you’re darn lucky if you, or
for that matter any experienced
pilot, can find the proper wind correction angle on the first attempt. Realistically, you’ll probably need
to make a minimum of two attempts at determining a wind correction angle before finding the proper
value. The same wind correction principle applies when tracking from the VOR on a specific course.
Let’s try some wind correction in the airplane. Choose Tutorial 9, Situation 5. In this example, I’ll
place you on the 030-degree course to the VOR while heading 030 degrees. I’ve commanded the
winds to blow from your left, as shown in Figure 13. Let’s give it a try.
1. Activate the simulation by pressing P.
Figure 13
A
B
C
D
E
WIND
DIRECTION
MH
MH
MH
MH
MH
MH = Magnetic
Heading of airplane
TO
TO
TO
TO
TO