← All explained questions · Supplemental · II — Preflight Procedures
While taxiing in a strong, gusty quartering tailwind from the LEFT REAR, the correct control position is
Choices
ailerons neutral, elevator neutral.
Neutral controls in gusty conditions risk loss of control.
✓ ailerons LEFT (stick LEFT).correct
to lower the upwind aileron away from the wind; elevator FORWARD (or down) to keep weight on the nose wheel and prevent the wind from pitching the tail. Quartering tailwind from the left rear: "dive away" — stick FORWARD and TOWARD the wind (left). Forward elevator presents the elevator's top surface to the wind, preventing it from lifting the tail. Aileron toward the wind keeps the upwind wing from being lifted. Memory: "dive away from a tailwind, climb into a headwind."
ailerons RIGHT, elevator UP.
Elevator UP with a tailwind invites the tail to be lifted — dangerous.
ailerons LEFT, elevator UP.
Elevator UP is the wrong direction for tailwind.
Why
to lower the upwind aileron away from the wind; elevator FORWARD (or down) to keep weight on the nose wheel and prevent the wind from pitching the tail. Quartering tailwind from the left rear: "dive away" — stick FORWARD and TOWARD the wind (left). Forward elevator presents the elevator's top surface to the wind, preventing it from lifting the tail. Aileron toward the wind keeps the upwind wing from being lifted. Memory: "dive away from a tailwind, climb into a headwind."
FAA source: FAA-H-8083-3C, AFH Ch. 2, taxiing and crosswind taxi control positioningbrowse the reference library →
Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.