Final answer:
Adjusting an airplane's heading to compensate for wind involves vector analysis to maintain a desired ground track. The pilot must correct for both crosswind and head-wind components by 'crabbing' into the wind, especially when wind speeds exceed 5 knots and are within 30 degrees off the nose of the aircraft.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is about how to adjust the heading of an airplane in response to wind conditions to achieve the desired ground track, which is an important concept in navigation and aeronautics. The scenario presented describes a situation where an airplane must account for wind that is blowing from a specific direction to maintain its course towards the destination. This adjustment is necessary due to the effect of crosswind and head-wind components on the total velocity of the plane.
For instance, if a plane is heading north at 45.0 m/s relative to the air mass and the ground speed is observed to be 38.0 m/s at an angle west of north, then the wind speed and direction can be determined by vector analysis. To fly due north in the presence of wind from the northeast at 90 km/h, the pilot must apply a correction angle into the wind (known as 'crabbing') to maintain a straight path over the ground. This direction must be northwesterly to offset the northeast wind component.
At wind speeds exceeding 5 knots, especially when within 30 degrees to either side of the airplane's nose, the pilot must be particularly vigilant with their directional control to maintain the required ground track. This often involves a delicate balance of adjusting the angle into the wind and monitoring speed to ensure safety and accuracy in reaching the destination runway.