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ATC & Pilot Active Runway Selection

Runway in Use Calculator

Find the active runway in use for any airport. Input surface wind direction and velocity to compare all runway orientations and identify the active runway with maximum headwind.

Reported Surface Wind & Airport Runways

090° (E)180° (S)270° (W)360° (N)
How Air Traffic Control (ATC) Selects Runway in Use:

Aircraft always take off and land into the wind to minimize ground rollout distance. The runway end providing the maximum headwind component and lowest crosswind is selected as the primary active runway in use.

Recommended Active RunwayRunway in Use
Runway 27 (270°)

Runway 27 (270°) is the active Runway in Use, providing 15.8 kts of headwind with a 2.8 kts crosswind from the Left.

Headwind Component:15.8 kts
Crosswind Component:2.8 kts Left
All Evaluated Runway ApproachesRanked by Suitability
Runway 27 (270°)Crosswind: 2.8 kts (Left)
+15.8 kts HeadwindScore: 14.7
Runway 18 (180°)Crosswind: 15.8 kts (Right)
+2.8 kts HeadwindScore: -3.5
Runway 36 (360°)Crosswind: 15.8 kts (Left)
2.8 kts Tailwind ⚠️Score: -9.1
Runway 09 (90°)Crosswind: 2.8 kts (Right)
15.8 kts Tailwind ⚠️Score: -16.9

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Runway in Use Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about cash runway, burn rates, and financial planning.

Air traffic control (ATC) designates the "Runway in Use" primarily based on surface wind direction and velocity. Aircraft must take off and land into the wind to maximize lift at lower ground speeds. The runway heading that aligns closest to the reported wind direction (providing maximum headwind and minimum crosswind) is selected.