Definition
The angle between the wind direction and the runway centerline, used with a crosswind component chart to determine how much of the wind acts as a headwind and how much acts as a crosswind.
Plain English
How far off the runway heading the wind is blowing from, measured in degrees.
Context Anchor
Seen when using a crosswind and headwind component chart before takeoff or landing.
Derivation
Wind derives from Old English 'wind' meaning moving air; angle derives from Latin 'angulus' meaning corner or bend. Together they name the directional offset that must be known before component values can be read from the chart.
Why Pilots Care
The wind angle determines how much of the total wind becomes a headwind or crosswind, directly affecting takeoff and landing performance and safety margins.
Grounding Statement
If the wind is straight down the runway, the wind angle is 0°; if it is directly from the side, the wind angle is 90°.
Intuition Check
Wind angle is not the reported wind direction itself. It is the difference between the wind direction and the runway or path direction.
Example Sentence 1
With a 20-knot wind and a wind angle of 40 degrees relative to the runway, the chart showed about a 13-knot crosswind component.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot calculated the crosswind using a 60-degree wind angle and decided the conditions remained within aircraft limits.