Which statement about wind effects on landing distance is correct?

• A. Headwind increases landing distance
• B. Tailwind decreases landing distance
• C. Surface condition does not affect landing distance
• D. Tailwind increases landing distance

Answer: (D)

Wind direction relative to the runway affects landing distance by changing the ground speed during the landing roll. With a headwind, the air is moving toward the aircraft, so for a given indicated airspeed the aircraft’s speed over the ground is reduced, which shortens the distance needed to stop. A tailwind pushes the aircraft along the runway, increasing ground speed for the same indicated airspeed and thus lengthening the distance required to decelerate and come to a stop. So a tailwind increases landing distance. Surface conditions can also affect stopping distance through braking friction, but the wind-related effect here is about how tailwinds raise ground speed and extend the rollout distance.