What term describes wind blowing directly against the course of an aircraft?

What term describes wind blowing directly against the course of an aircraft?

• A. Head Wind
• B. Tailwind
• C. Crosswind
• D. Ground Wind

Answer: (A)

Wind blowing directly against an aircraft’s direction of travel is called a headwind. It slows the aircraft relative to the ground because the airspeed you fly through the air is opposed by the wind coming toward you, so ground speed is reduced (ground speed = airspeed minus the headwind component). This can affect performance, such as requiring more runway length for takeoff or landing and influencing climb rate. By contrast, a crosswind comes from the side and can affect alignment with the runway, while a tailwind comes from behind and increases ground speed. Ground wind is wind at the surface and isn’t defined by its relation to the aircraft’s course.

Wind blowing directly against an aircraft’s direction of travel is called a headwind. It slows the aircraft relative to the ground because the airspeed you fly through the air is opposed by the wind coming toward you, so ground speed is reduced (ground speed = airspeed minus the headwind component). This can affect performance, such as requiring more runway length for takeoff or landing and influencing climb rate. By contrast, a crosswind comes from the side and can affect alignment with the runway, while a tailwind comes from behind and increases ground speed. Ground wind is wind at the surface and isn’t defined by its relation to the aircraft’s course.