Overview

The WIND parameter group (specifically WIND_MAX) configures the safety limits for wind speed.

Key Concepts

(ArduPlane) Defines the maximum wind speed (m/s) that the autopilot is allowed to attempt to fly in.

Action: If the estimated environmental wind exceeds this value, the autopilot may trigger a warning or refuse to start a mission.

Library: libraries/AP_AHRS.
Estimation: Wind is estimated by subtracting the Airspeed vector from the GPS Ground Speed vector.

If the difference between airspeed and ground speed is greater than this value the sensor will be marked unhealthy.

This parameter sets a sanity check for the airspeed sensor.

Logic: The autopilot assumes that Airspeed - GroundSpeed roughly equals Wind Speed. If this difference exceeds WIND_MAX, it implies the wind is impossibly strong (e.g., a hurricane) or, more likely, the airspeed sensor is giving bad data (e.g., pitot tube blocked).
Effect: If this threshold is breached, the EKF may declare the airspeed sensor unhealthy and stop using it for flight control.
0: Disabled (No check).