Wind Vector

[JohnWF]

In simple terms, how does the D-180 calculalte the wind you are flying in? That is, which factors does it use; I expect it uses pitot information, the GPS ground speed and magnetic heading, and something else?

Just wondering.

 

[dynonsupport]

It's the difference between:

-which way the aircraft is pointing (magnetic heading) / how fast the aircraft is moving through the air mass (true airspeed)
and
-which way and how fast the aircraft is actually tracking along the ground (GPS ground track)

The first par is very dependent on OAT, altitude, IAS, and mag heading all being correct, which is why people sometimes don't get perfect numbers for wind.