I’ve been preparing for this flight for a long time, its my second attempt because the first time also fell victim to the same question im going to ask here.
I’m at 39,000 feet, in an a359. I’m over Australia bound for Hong Kong.
The wind is stable at 68 knots, its almost a direct headwind but is off by about 5 degrees on the left.
I have no idea why, but my aircraft keeps baking from left to right. I had autopilot on, which was reacting really really badly to the situation.
It kept overcorrecting… which was weird because it was on course and it wasn’t (as far as I know) supposed to try and get onto the flight path perfectly, which is what it seemed to try do… but it kept overcorrecting.
As I am typing this thread, I have one hand on my yoke and one hand on the keyboard.
I am not (or am just unaware) overweight, I am under the MTOW and still about 60,000 kg over the MLW which I assume is normal because it is a 9:50-10 hour flight…
What have you set your cruise speed at? We are looking for the airspeed and not groundspeed. Groundspeed will show as a significantly higher number with a tailwind.
On long hauls, and you suspect there’ll be either a strong head wind or crosswind, you should always try to pack on ~2hours more fuel than what your ETE is calculated/calibrated for. If you have to divert to a closer airport to refuel, that’s just what you’ll have to do, you’ll get back on your original course thereafter. Additionally, climbing higher only makes the winds stronger. Descend to a suitable FL (between FL28 & FL30) and your winds will [usually] slow and you’ll still be able to maintain ~M89. And sometimes, winds are completely aloft and there’s nothing you can do but push on 👊🏻
These apps will give you accurate up-to-date wind patterns and what I personally use when I’m flying (not in IF). They don’t coincide with how the winds are being created on IF, but these will give you a good foundation on what ‘normal’ wind patterns in real life: