Originally Posted by
merlinextraligh
Then in the real world, the second part of the problem is that for every wind angle other than 0 and 180, the fact that cross winds present themselves as more of a headwind when the force vectors are taken into consdieration. That's the point of the HED tool.
Exactly.
I didn't look at the tool, but the formula I've used since I was a kid is basically that the wind helps you for just over 90 degrees. It hurts you through most of the arc (sidewinds really slow you down) and even a wind coming from partially behind can either be no help or a hindrance.