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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-wind-correction-angle-12

At 100 knots of airspeed with a 20 knot direct crosswind, about how far must you turn into the wind?

About 12 degrees into the wind to cancel the drift.

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  1. About 2 degrees
  2. About 12 degrees ✔
  3. About 45 degrees

Why: Pointing the nose into the wind, called crabbing, cancels the sideways drift so your track stays straight. With 100 knots of airspeed and 20 knots of direct crosswind, that angle is about 12 degrees.

Huh, didn't know that: With only 10 knots of crosswind, the same airplane needs about 6 degrees.

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Why do crabs make good pilots? They already know how to move sideways.
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References

Answer: About 12 degrees. Pointing the nose into the wind, called crabbing, cancels the sideways drift so your track stays straight. With 100 knots of airspeed and 20 knots of direct crosswind, that angle is about 12 degrees.

  1. Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3C, Chapter 7 Ground Reference Maneuvers www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/08_afh_ch7.pdf
    should turn 12° into the wind to cancel the airplane's drift.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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