FAA Ground School Practice Test

According to the segmented circle, landing on Runway 26 will face which wind direction?

1. Southeast wind

2. Northeast wind

3. Right-quartering headwind

4. Left-quartering tailwind

The correct answer is: Right-quartering headwind

The segmented circle is a visual aid that provides essential information about airport operations, including the designated runways in use and the prevailing wind directions. When discussing the orientation of runways, it's important to consider both the runway number and the associated wind conditions. Runway 26 indicates that the runway is oriented at an angle of 260 degrees, which means that when landing on this runway, the aircraft is approaching from the west. Wind direction is reported in terms of where the wind originates, so a wind from the east would be blowing towards the west. A right-quartering headwind is a wind coming from the right front side of the aircraft approaching from the west, which generally translates to a wind that is from the north-northeast. This provides the benefit of slightly aligning the aircraft into the headwind for better control during landing, while also having some lateral influence from the right side. Given these factors, landing on Runway 26 with a right-quartering headwind is ideal for maintaining control and smooth operation. Understanding the orientation of the runway and the implications of wind direction is crucial for pilots to make informed decisions during landing and takeoff.