FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Performance, Weight and BalanceEasy
A pilot is calculating the landing distance required for an upcoming flight. The aircraft's AFM/POH indicates a standard landing distance of 1,200 feet under specific conditions. What effect would a 10-knot tailwind have on the required landing distance compared to a no-wind condition?
- ADecrease the landing distance due to increased ground speed.
- BIncrease the landing distance due to increased ground speed.
- CDecrease the landing distance due to reduced angle of attack.
- DNo significant effect, as landing distance is primarily affected by airspeed.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Increase the landing distance due to increased ground speed.
A tailwind increases the aircraft's ground speed during landing. While airspeed is maintained for lift, the higher ground speed means the aircraft travels a greater distance over the ground before coming to a complete stop, thereby increasing the required landing distance.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A tailwind increases ground speed, which increases landing distance, not decreases it.
- C. A tailwind does not directly reduce the angle of attack in a way that would decrease landing distance; it primarily affects ground speed.
- D. While airspeed is critical for lift, ground speed directly affects the distance covered over the ground during landing and rollout.
Tailwind Effects on Landing
A tailwind increases an aircraft's ground speed during landing, which significantly increases the required landing distance and reduces the pilot's control authority.
- Increases ground speed during approach and rollout.
- Significantly increases landing distance.
- Reduces effective airspeed over control surfaces at a given ground speed (relative to no wind).
- Can make go-arounds more challenging due to reduced climb performance relative to ground.
Memory trick: Headwind Helps, Tailwind Hurts.