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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-wind-correction-add-subtract

To get true heading from true course, when do you add the wind correction angle?

When the wind blows from the right of the true course.

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  1. When the wind is from the right ✔
  2. When the wind is from the left
  3. Always, no matter the wind side

Why: You turn into the wind. A wind from the right means turning right, which is a bigger heading number, so you add. Wind from the left means you subtract.

Huh, didn't know that: The planning chain is true course, plus or minus wind correction, equals true heading, then variation gives magnetic heading.

The dad joke
Wind from the right? Add it. Wind from the left? Subtract it. Wind from behind? Thank it.
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References

Answer: When the wind is from the right. You turn into the wind. A wind from the right means turning right, which is a bigger heading number, so you add. Wind from the left means you subtract.

  1. Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge FAA-H-8083-25C, Chapter 16 Navigation www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/18_phak_ch16.pdf
    If the wind blows from the right of TC, the angle is added; if from the left, it is subtracted.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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