Bug the Wind

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The heading bug is a great flying tool, particularly when you’re flying IFR. But whether you have your instrument ticket or not, the heading bug can also be quite helpful on the ground on windy days, in any airplane, but especially if you’re flying a taildragger.

After you check the ATIS, set the heading bug to the broadcast wind direction and use it as a quick reference of where the wind is coming from. Unless your heading indicator is slaved, you also need to make sure that the instrument is set to the correct magnetic heading. Now the heading bug can be used to help you make proper wind correction control inputs during taxi. No matter which direction you’re turning to on the ground, the same rules apply.

If the heading bug is on the upper half of the heading indicator (indicating a headwind), turn the controls toward the bug and keep the elevator in a neutral position. If the heading bug is on the lower half of the instrument (indicating a tailwind), turn away from the bug and bring the elevator down by pushing the yoke or stick forward.

Once you’re ready for takeoff, unless you have reset the heading bug for the initial departure heading, make sure that the wind direction bug is on the upper half of the heading indicator as a quick indication that you’re taking off into the wind. It is never a good idea to take off with a tailwind as the ground roll can increase dramatically even with a few knots on the tail.

Before using this technique, you must realize that winds can shift quickly. If there is a windsock in sight it is worth confirming that the wind is still blowing from the same direction as when the ATIS or AWOS was last issued before relying too much on what the wind direction bug tells you.

Read more Flying Tips here.

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Submitted by WAPilot on September 13, 2011.

Bergqvist says, "It is never a good idea to take off with a tailwind." Never? Really? Are you sure? What about a sloping runway where the downhill gradient more than offsets the effects of the tailwind? What about an uphill takeoff where the runway gradient more than offsets the effects of the headwind? What about a runway in rugged terrain where a takeoff into the wind would point you toward terrain that you can't outclimb?

It is important to know the effect(s) of the wind on your takeoff roll regardless of whether the wind is coming from in front of you or behind you, and to monitor your aircraft's performance during your takeoff roll. An old rule of thumb is 'at least 3/4 of takeoff speed in 1/2 of the runway or abort'. (While you're at it, don't forget to factor in the effect(s) of the runway surface - pavement, firm turf, long grass, etc.)

"Never" and "always" should be used carefully. There are times when they apply, but often "seldom" or "usually" is a better choice.

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Submitted by veryhrm on September 13, 2011.

@wapilot You're right in the details, but there's no need to be a jerk about it. Everyone, oh sorry almost everyone, who is a pilot or has received pilot training or has read a POH knows that slope, surface, surrounding terrain and density altitude should be taken into account to determine what direction to take off in. sheesh.

I like this tip for using the heading bug. Hadn't heard it before (in my whopping 20 hours in an airplane over 10 years :-) )

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Submitted by Mike Morgan on September 14, 2011.

Good tip.
Ps... @veryhrm - I've been flying for 35 years and haven't heard it :)

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Submitted by dhedeman on September 15, 2011.

"Never" is an unwise word to use, as said by a previous commentor. In most takeoff situations the wind is 'generally' the deciding factor. In some situations terrain safety is the deciding factor. Sometimes 'convenience' is the deciding factor; I'm not going to taxi a half mile to take off into a light wind if I know that a tailwind takeoff is safe in the situation. The same holds true for landing with a tailwind.

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Submitted by iused2fly on September 16, 2011.

A fine suggestion Pia.

Your first point, using the heading bug as a reference for control usage during taxi in windy conditions, is a sound idea and makes understanding control usage during windy conditions on the ground simpler and more intuitive.

Re the opinions of the "don't say 'never' or 'always' " crowd above: While there certainly are some instances where the runway surface, slope and obstacles off the departure end might lead a pilot to chose a downwind or uphill takeoff, setting the bug to the reported wind direction will help guide the pilot to the safest takeoff option. And doing so will "always" show the pilot the wind direction, whether its an upwind or downwind takeoff.
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Keep those good ideas coming, Pia.

Douglas m
Surrey, British Columbia

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Submitted by scotthudson19 on October 05, 2011.

This is a great tip. If you have something in your cockpit that can be used to help your situational awareness you should use it lest we become situationally unaware. Nothing good comes from that. We should be using everything at our disposal at all times when practical (This is very practical!).
Let us not get rapped around the axel and miss the actual point of this article.
Thank you for the tip!

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