Tutor Platform
Study note

Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

Sign in to generate a study note

From the FAA library

  • Chapter 7. Safety of Flight › Section 4. Wake Turbulence › 7-4-4. Vortex Behavior

    time and hasten the drift of the downwind vortex toward another runway. (See FIG 7-4-6.) Similarly, a tailwind condition can move the vortices of the preceding aircraft forward into the touchdown zone. THE LIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND REQUIRES MAXIMUM ... aircraft upwind from their approach and takeoff flight paths. (See FIG 7-4-7.) Vortex Movement in Ground Effect - Tailwind…

  • Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance › Takeoff and Landing Performance › Takeoff Performance

    allow the aircraft to reach the lift-off speed at a lower groundspeed, while the effect of a tailwind is to require the aircraft to achieve a greater groundspeed to attain the lift-off speed. A headwind that ... percent of the takeoff airspeed reduces the takeoff distance approximately 19 percent. However, a tailwind that is 10 percent of the takeoff airspeed increases the takeoff distance approximately 21 percent. In the case where the headwind speed is 50 percent…

  • Chapter 12: Weather Theory › Wind and Currents › Low-Level Wind Shear

    aircraft. It can rapidly change the performance of the aircraft and disrupt the normal flight attitude. For example, a tailwind quickly changing to a headwind causes an increase in airspeed and performance. Conversely, a headwind changing to a tailwind causes…

  • Chapter 14: Transition to Tailwheel Airplanes › Taxiing

    times, so holding the stick away from the crosswind is good practice (left aileron in a right quartering tailwind). Elevator positioning in tailwinds is a bit more complex. Standard teaching tends to recommend full forward stick in any degree ... tailwind, arguing that a tailwind striking the elevator when it is deflected full down increases downward pressure on the tailwheel assembly and increases directional control. Equally important, if the elevator were to remain deflected up, a strong tailwind…

  • Chapter 9: Approaches and Landings › Power-Off Accuracy Approaches › Common Errors

    Downwind leg is too far from the runway/landing area. 2. Overextension of downwind leg resulting from a tailwind. 3. Inadequate compensation for wind drift on base leg. 4. Skidding turns in an effort to increase gliding distance. 5. Failure…

  • Chapter 8: Airport Traffic Patterns › Standard Airport Traffic Patterns

    approach end of the runway, and make a medium-bank turn onto the base leg. Pilots should consider tailwinds and not descend too much on the downwind in order to have sufficient altitude to continue the descent on the base…