Crosswind Calculator in m/s (Gliders & Europe)
Wind components natively in metres per second for glider pilots, microlights and anyone whose ATIS speaks m/s — with the kt conversion alongside.
Club gliding operations commonly limit winch launches around 6–8 m/s crosswind and aerotow a little higher — and a glider's long wing makes the last metre of rollout the touchiest part.
Formula
⚠️ For flight planning and education only — always verify against your aircraft's POH/AFM, official weather sources and certified instruments. Not for primary navigation or airworthiness decisions.
Wind components natively in metres per second for glider pilots, microlights and anyone whose ATIS speaks m/s — with the kt conversion alongside.
About Crosswind Calculator in m/s (Gliders & Europe)
In much of the world the wind arrives in metres per second — gliding clubs, microlight fields, Russian and Central Asian METARs — while every online crosswind tool insists on knots. This one is m/s-native: components in and out in metres per second with the knot equivalent printed beside the answer, and verdict thresholds expressed the way club operations actually write them (4 and 7 m/s, not 8 and 14 kt).
How to use Crosswind Calculator in m/s (Gliders & Europe)
- 1Enter — sensible defaults are pre-filled so you see a worked result immediately.
- 2Read the live results: .
- 3Check the "With your numbers" line to see the formula crosswind = W·sin(Δ); headwind = W·cos(Δ); Δ = |wind direction − runway heading| (1 m/s = 1.944 kt) substituted step by step.
- 4Adjust inputs (or flip the unit toggle) until the scenario matches yours, then copy or share the result.
Why use Crosswind Calculator in m/s (Gliders & Europe)?
- ✓Instant, free and private — every calculation runs in your browser, nothing is uploaded
- ✓Built on the published formula crosswind = W·sin(Δ); headwind = W·cos(Δ); Δ = |wind direction − runway heading| (1 m/s = 1.944 kt) with sources cited on the page
- ✓Club gliding operations commonly limit winch launches around 6–8 m/s crosswind and aerotow a little higher — and a glider's long wing makes the last metre of rollout the touchiest part.
- ✓Switch units, tweak any input and watch every result update live
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert m/s to knots in my head?+
Double it and subtract 3%: 8 m/s → 16 minus a half ≈ 15.5 kt (exact: 15.6). Going the other way, halve the knots and add a touch. The factor is 1.944 kt per m/s. This tool always prints both so the mental math gets checked every time you use it.
Why do gliders have such tight crosswind limits?+
Three structural reasons: enormous wingspan means the tip is close to the ground in any bank, so the wing-down technique runs out early; a single main wheel offers no track stability during rollout; and on a winch launch a crosswind drifts the cable and the climb path over the winch line. Hence club limits around 6–8 m/s where powered types might accept double.
Which countries report wind in m/s in METARs?+
Russia and most CIS states, Mongolia, China for some reports, and several others use MPS in METAR (e.g. 30008MPS). ICAO Annex 5 sanctions m/s as the SI unit with knots as a permitted alternative. If you fly internationally, the 'MPS' suffix is the cue — feed the number straight into this tool without converting.
Is the crosswind geometry any different for a winch launch?+
The component math is identical, but the consequence differs: during the ground run and rotation the glider weathervanes into wind while the cable pulls it along the runway axis, demanding early, positive rudder. Clubs therefore set winch crosswind limits below their aerotow limits. Compute the component here, then apply your club's winch-specific number.
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