Wind almost never lines up neatly with where you're pointed — and the FAA knows it, which is why splitting wind into its components is a skill the exam tests. Enter your heading (or a runway) and the wind, and you'll see the headwind or tailwind you'll actually feel and the crosswind pushing you sideways, drawn out so it clicks. Learn to read it here, and it's one less thing to second-guess on test day or in a real breeze.
Tip: a runway "27" points 270°, "36" points 360°. For a drone, use the direction you're flying or holding into.
Start with the angle between the wind and your heading. The part of the wind blowing straight at you is the headwind (or a tailwind, if it's coming from behind); the part shoving you sideways is the crosswind. Once you can picture that split, the rest is just trigonometry:
| Component | Formula | Quick estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Headwind | wind speed × cos(angle) | Angle 0° = all headwind |
| Crosswind | wind speed × sin(angle) | Angle 90° = all crosswind |
Pull real wind numbers to run through this: METAR Decoder · Can I Fly Now?
This free tool shows you the how — the full Fly107Prep app builds the confidence. Work through crosswind, weather, and performance questions with plain-English explanations that teach you why each answer is right, backed by a full exam simulator and a 22-lesson course. One-time $39.99, 7-day money-back guarantee — so you walk in ready, not just hopeful.