FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX)Flight Planning and PerformanceEasy
A dispatcher is reviewing landing performance for a flight where the destination runway configuration will require a tailwind landing. Compared to a headwind landing, how does a tailwind component affect the required landing distance?
- ATailwind components only affect landing distance when they exceed 20 knots
- BTailwind components significantly increase landing distance and are far more critical than an equivalent headwind reduces it
- CTailwind components decrease landing distance because groundspeed at touchdown is lower
- DTailwind components have no measurable effect on landing distance
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Tailwind components significantly increase landing distance and are far more critical than an equivalent headwind reduces it
A tailwind increases groundspeed at touchdown, which significantly increases the landing distance required. Landing performance charts weight tailwind penalties much more heavily than headwind credits, since even small tailwinds substantially extend the distance needed to stop.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Tailwind effects begin well below 20 knots; even small tailwinds matter.
- C. Tailwind increases, not decreases, groundspeed at touchdown.
- D. Tailwind has a substantial, well-documented effect on landing distance.
Tailwind Landing Distance Penalty
A tailwind component increases groundspeed at touchdown, substantially increasing required landing distance compared to an equivalent headwind's benefit.
- Tailwind increases groundspeed at touchdown
- Landing distance penalties for tailwind exceed headwind credits
- Landing performance charts apply asymmetric wind corrections
Memory trick: A tailwind pushes you past the numbers — it costs more runway than a headwind saves.