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If you've ever wondered how air traffic stays so organized, STARs and SIDs are where it all begins. These routes might seem invisible from your seat on an airplane, but they're the reason flights smoothly transition between the ground and cruising altitudes, or from cruising to landing.

If you're just curious or gearing up for your next flight, understanding SIDs and STARs gives you a peek behind the curtain of air traffic control's balancing act.

Figuring out the right headwind setup doesn't need to be a complicated process.

In fact, with just a few simple steps, you can figure it all out in minutes!

Pilots know how important it is to have accurate wind data, but not everyone is clear on how exactly to get that info without performing some pretty heavy calculations.

If you're one of those people, don't worry! This guide will walk you through it.