Jazmin Li
Wind speed is rarely a problem for commercial flights, but there is a limit to what they can handle. While pilots are trained to handle crosswind takeoffs and landings, strong crosswinds can make the process more difficult. Crosswinds are horizontal winds that occur at right angles to the direction of takeoff and landing. If these crosswinds are above 35-40 mph, aircraft may struggle to take off, and departure may be delayed. Airports themselves may impose maximum allowable wind limits, and aircraft design can also play a role in how susceptible an aircraft is to crosswinds. For example, an aircraft with a large vertical stabilizer will be more affected by crosswinds than one with a smaller stabilizer.
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What You'll Learn
- Pilots assess wind speed and direction, and how it might affect their flight
- Airports are designed with knowledge of prevailing wind direction
- Crosswinds are any winds that don't blow straight down the runway
- Pilots use different techniques to land in crosswinds, such as the crab or slip method
- High winds can cause delays or diversions, but they don't put flights in danger
Pilots assess wind speed and direction, and how it might affect their flight
Pilots need to assess wind speed and direction and how these factors might affect their flight. While wind rarely affects a commercial flight to a significant extent, it can have an impact on smaller aircraft. Wind speed and direction are some of the reasons why pilots check the weather before a flight.
Wind speed and direction can affect the takeoff and landing of an aircraft. Strong crosswinds, or horizontal winds, can make takeoff and landing more difficult. Crosswinds that exceed 30-40 mph are generally prohibitive of takeoff and landing. However, pilots are trained to handle crosswind conditions and understand the limitations of their aircraft. They are also trained to make strategic decisions during the flight to avoid potentially hazardous weather.
Headwinds can cause a flight to take longer. For example, westbound routes tend to take longer than eastbound routes due to headwinds. Tailwinds, on the other hand, can reduce the distance required for takeoff and landing. However, tailwinds can increase the runway distance needed, and some aircraft prefer to accept tailwinds on certain runways to avoid terrain issues.
While wind speed and direction can impact the flight, pilots are well-trained to handle windy conditions. They are required to demonstrate skill in flying in windy conditions to obtain their license. Additionally, modern aircraft are designed to perform well in high winds, and wind speeds during cruise flight rarely affect the plane. Any slight delays caused by strong winds are managed to ensure flying in such conditions remains safe.
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Airports are designed with knowledge of prevailing wind direction
Airports are indeed designed with knowledge of the prevailing wind direction. Runways are typically elongated, rectangular surfaces designed for aircraft landing and takeoff. They are usually made of asphalt, concrete, or a mixture of both, but they can also be natural surfaces made of grass, dirt, gravel, ice, sand, or salt. Airports with unpredictable or chaotic water currents may designate their landing area as "Waterway ALL/WAY" to indicate the lack of a designated landing direction.
Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which corresponds to the runway's heading in decadegrees. For example, a runway numbered 09 points east (90°), while runway 27 points west (270°). A runway can usually be used in both directions, and each direction has a separate name. For instance, "runway 15" in one direction would be called "runway 33" when used in the opposite direction.
The direction of the wind in relation to the takeoff or landing is crucial in aviation. Aircraft prefer to take off and land into a headwind, as this reduces the distance required to get airborne and to bring the aircraft to a stop. Tailwinds, on the other hand, increase the runway distance needed for takeoff and landing. Crosswinds, or horizontal winds, can be particularly challenging during takeoff and landing and may cause delays or even force an aircraft to abort its landing.
While modern aircraft are designed to handle very high winds, strong winds can still cause delays or cancellations for safety reasons. The maximum wind limits for commercial aircraft vary depending on the specific aircraft, airport, and direction of the wind. Some airports, such as London City Airport, impose stricter wind limits due to their narrower and shorter runways. Overall, while wind can impact airport operations, pilots are trained to handle windy conditions, and slight delays due to wind are normal and necessary to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
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Crosswinds are any winds that don't blow straight down the runway
Crosswinds are measured in knots (nautical miles per hour) and are often reported in the plural form, such as "40kt crosswinds". While pilots are trained to land in crosswinds, they can make the process more challenging and increase the risk of an accident. Strong crosswinds can even damage an aircraft's undercarriage upon landing.
The impact of crosswinds varies depending on the aircraft design, with planes that have a big vertical stabilizer (the big fin at the tail) being more affected. Additionally, the runway conditions play a role, with dry runways typically allowing for higher crosswind limits than wet or contaminated runways.
Some airports are known for experiencing strong crosswinds, such as Cape Town International Airport in South Africa, which is notable for its 'Cape Doctor' winds during the summer months. London City Airport has a maximum crosswind limit of 25 knots, while a Boeing 737-800 has a maximum allowable crosswind component of approximately 33 knots on a dry runway and 27 knots on a wet runway.
While crosswinds can impact flight operations, pilots are skilled at managing them, and modern aircraft are designed to perform well in high winds. These factors ensure that flying in crosswinds remains safe, although minor delays may occur due to strong winds.
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Pilots use different techniques to land in crosswinds, such as the crab or slip method
Pilots are trained to land in crosswinds and will always assess the weather before taking off. They will also consider the wind direction and speed, the gustiness of the wind, the moisture on the ground, and the cloud cover around the airport. Pilots will also take note of how the weather conditions are affecting other aircraft as they take off and land.
As the aircraft gets closer to the runway threshold, the pilot may transition from the crab technique to a sideslip or forward slip. In a sideslip, the pilot uses both ailerons and rudder to lower one wing and slide the aircraft sideways to maintain alignment with the runway center line. In a forward slip, the pilot uses opposite aileron and rudder inputs, causing the aircraft to descend at an angle toward the runway center line while keeping the nose pointed straight. This technique is more commonly used in light aircraft.
Pilots also have personal crosswind limits based on their level of experience, and some airports are more likely to experience crosswinds due to their location. For example, airports with runways across the prevailing wind direction, airports in mountains, valleys, and canyons, and airports near the coast are all particularly susceptible to strong crosswinds.
While high winds can occasionally prevent planes from taking off or landing on time, winds won't put the flight in any danger. Modern aircraft are designed to perform well in very high winds, and pilots must demonstrate skill at flying in windy conditions to become licensed.
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High winds can cause delays or diversions, but they don't put flights in danger
While high winds can cause delays or diversions, they don't put flights in danger. Modern aircraft are designed to perform well in very high winds, and pilots must demonstrate skill at flying in windy conditions to become licensed. Even relatively high winds are rarely an issue, and planes can take off and land in most high winds.
However, there are situations where strong winds prevent take-off or landing or cause bumps during the flight. Horizontal winds, or crosswinds, in excess of 30-35 knots (about 34-40 mph) are generally prohibitive of take-off and landing. If crosswinds are strong while the plane is at the gate, air traffic controllers may delay departure. If the plane attempts to land during wild crosswinds, the pilot may decide to abort landing, sometimes at the last minute.
The maximum wind limits for commercial aircraft depend on the aircraft, airport, and direction of the wind compared to the direction of take-off or landing. Aircraft want to take off and land into a headwind as this reduces the distance required to get airborne or to bring the aircraft to a stop. There is no headwind limitation for most commercial aircraft for take-off, and therefore no maximum overall limit for take-off or landing. However, there are wind limits for opening and closing aircraft doors (around 45 knots) and pilots will not attempt to taxi and depart in such conditions.
Some airports impose restrictions on wind limits. For example, London City Airport has a maximum crosswind limit of 25 knots, while some of the aircraft operating there have a 38-knot dry runway limit for take-off and landing. The airport on Madeira's east coast, now known as Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport, is known for hosting one of the world's most challenging approaches and landings due to its runway often being buffeted by Atlantic winds, with the mountains and ocean nearby presenting further difficulties. Pilots scheduled to arrive here must undergo additional training, and the Association of Portuguese Airline Pilots (APPLA) has stated that it is vital that the airport closes when winds exceed the maximum limits.
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Frequently asked questions
Wind shear occurs when the wind changes direction, speed, or both within a very short distance. It can cause an aircraft to stop flying and is considered one of the worst wind effects to experience. While it rarely causes accidents on its own, it has been a contributing factor in some aviation incidents.
There is no single maximum wind speed limit as it depends on the direction of the wind and the phase of flight. Generally, a crosswind above 40 mph and a tailwind above 10 mph can cause issues and prevent commercial jets from taking off or landing.
Commercial airliners can usually cope with strong winds, especially during takeoff and landing. However, light aircraft are more susceptible to wind speed, and it may prevent them from flying. Aircraft with bigger vertical stabilisers are also more affected by crosswinds.
Crosswinds can make landing more challenging, and pilots may decide to abort landing during wild crosswinds. Strong headwinds can slow down flights, while strong tailwinds may reduce flight time.
Pilots are trained to handle crosswind landings, and these situations rarely cause problems. They may add half the gust factor to their final approach speed to compensate for windy conditions.
