G'Day Mr '733'....
Would that have been a 'Recreational' type site by any chance??
Many Many misconceptions on that or those sites....
If you would really like to get a 'handle' on this, then may I recommend a book by A. C. Kermode - The Mechanics Of Flight', or go and spend some quality time with your favourite Flight Instructor.
When an aircraft is airborne, the actual direction of the wind relative to the ground, has no affect on the aerodynamics of the flight of the aircraft THROUGH the air - though it may appear vastly different to an observer who is FIXED on the ground.
The aircraft is simply moving in a body of air - the fact that this body of air is in itself moving over the ground - in whatever direction - has no affect on the aircraft - whose RELATIVE airflow is still coming from the front, in normal flight.
In the stalling sequence, the RELATIVE airflow is still from the front - as it always will be. Even in a 'sideslip' manoeuvre - the airflow is still from the 'new' front - opposite to that in which the aircraft is travelling.
Try and imagine it.
I have demonstrated a Cessna's ability to 'hover' and actually move backwards - to observers on the ground! The mere fact that the Westerly wind was in excess of 45 knots and I flew the aircraft directly into this wind at about 45 knots or so, was 'lost' on the observers at the time.
Looked impressive though, I am sure. Can I fly a Cessna backwards in normal flight? NAH! (Not unless its vertically DOWN....BUT....NOT FOR LONG!!)
In the 'canoe across the river' scenario, the path of the boat relative to the flow of the water is exactly the same as in the aircraft situation.
But - relative to an observer on the river bank - the ILLUSION is that the canoe MAY APPEAR to be moving 'sideways' is because the observer on the bank is STILL - however the wake of the canoe in the water is the same as in still water.....
Unless the canoe is 'tethered' in some way, there is no difference to the water flow around the canoe in forward motion - the bow wave will be the same, as will be the wake.
Think about it.
Best regards,
