FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Performance, Weight and BalanceMedium
A pilot is planning to land with a tailwind component rather than into the wind. What effect should the pilot expect on landing performance?
- ADecreased approach speed but unchanged landing distance
- BNo significant change in landing distance
- CIncreased landing distance due to higher groundspeed at touchdown
- DDecreased landing distance due to lower approach speed
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Increased landing distance due to higher groundspeed at touchdown
A tailwind increases groundspeed at touchdown even though indicated airspeed remains the same, requiring more runway to decelerate to a stop. Landing performance charts typically show a substantial increase in distance for even a small tailwind component.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Approach airspeed (indicated) is unaffected by wind, but distance still increases.
- B. Tailwind components have a significant, not negligible, effect on landing distance.
- D. Tailwinds increase, not decrease, groundspeed and landing distance.
Tailwind Effect on Landing
Landing with a tailwind increases groundspeed at touchdown, significantly increasing the required landing distance compared to landing into the wind.
- Indicated airspeed at touchdown stays the same
- Groundspeed increases with a tailwind
- Even small tailwinds meaningfully lengthen landing distance
Memory trick: Tailwind pushes you past the numbers.