Weather theoryQuestion 321 of 934

An airplane flies from a headwind into a tailwind. What happens to airspeed and performance?

  1. Both decrease
  2. Both increase
  3. Airspeed increases but performance decreases
  4. Both stay the same
Show answer

Correct answer: Both decrease

A headwind that changes to a tailwind causes a decrease in airspeed and performance.

Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Chapter 12: Weather Theory — Low-Level Wind Shear, page 295

Practice weather theory

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026