jsmith wrote:

The theory posited in the article was that one could always land and
takeoff into the wind using a circular runway.

Well, at some point in your takeoff or landing you could be in line with the wind and
the runway at the same time, but at other points, you'd have to deal with a crosswind
component. Furthermore, that component would be changing as you rolled along.

The banked track would counter the crosswind component.

No, it would counter the tendency of the aircraft to travel in a straight line. If
the track were not banked, you'd run off the track before you got airborne.

George Patterson
Treason is ne'er successful, Sir; what then be the reason? Why, if treason
be successful, Sir, then none dare call it treason.