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9.7.3 Heading and wind

9.7.3.1 Track and True Track (TT)

As previously mentioned, the direction from one point to another is measured

as an angle measured from the meridian that indicates true north (TN) to the
direction we fly. The route we draw on the map is called our track.

The direction (angle) we have drawn is called true track (TT).

9.7.3.2 Drift

In the wind triangle, an angle appears between heading and track, which, from

heading to track, is called drift. It is indicated by a plus or minus sign,

- If the track is to the right of the heading line, we have drift to the right, and
the angle is positive, i.e.

+. In this case, the wind

pushes the aircraft to the

right, and we must

compensate by turning

the aircraft to the left.

- If the track is to the left of

the heading, we have

drift to the left, and the

drift angle is negative (-).

9.7.3.3 Wind correction angle (WCA)

From track to heading, the angle is called the wind correction angle (WCA). It

has the same size as the drift but opposite sign.

This means that if you compensate for a crosswind to the right, WCA is positive,

and you steer towards a higher degree.

The opposite when we have to correct to the left.

Flyveteori PPL(A)(UL)/LAPL Henning Andersen, Midtjysk Flyveskole© 2025 849