FAA Ground School Practice Test

Inbound to Pierre Regional from the southwest, what traffic should be expected with wind at 240 degrees at 12 knots?

1. Right traffic at Runway 27

2. Left traffic at Runway 25

3. Left traffic at Runway 20

4. Right traffic at Runway 30

The correct answer is: Left traffic at Runway 25

When arriving at Pierre Regional from the southwest with a wind direction of 240 degrees at 12 knots, it’s essential to consider how the wind will affect the traffic pattern and runway selection. The wind is coming from a direction of 240 degrees, which means it is blowing from the west-southwest toward the east-northeast. In this scenario, aircraft will typically want to land into the wind for better control and performance. Runway 25 aligns with the west-southwest wind direction, allowing for a left traffic pattern. This is because, with a left traffic pattern, an aircraft approaches the runway with the wind coming from the left side, which provides a stable landing approach and minimizes the crosswind component. Therefore, expecting left traffic at Runway 25 is logical because it allows the pilot to appropriately manage their approach with the prevailing wind direction. This makes it the most suitable choice for safe and efficient landing at Pierre Regional under these wind conditions.