FAA Ground School Practice Test

When taxiing with strong quartering tailwinds, where should the ailerons be positioned?

1. Aileron's up on the side from which the wind is blowing

2. Aileron's down on the side from which the wind is blowing

3. Ailerons neutral

4. Ailerons down on both sides

The correct answer is: Aileron's down on the side from which the wind is blowing

When taxiing with strong quartering tailwinds, the ailerons should be positioned down on the side from which the wind is blowing. This technique allows the aircraft to counteract the effects of the wind trying to lift the wing on the upwind side. By lowering the aileron on the side from which the wind is blowing, you create additional lift on that wing, which helps to maintain more level control of the aircraft and prevents the aircraft from rolling towards the downwind side. In this situation, if the ailerons were positioned in a neutral position, the aircraft would be more susceptible to the influence of the wind, making it harder to control. Similarly, having the ailerons up on the side from which the wind is blowing could exacerbate any tendency for the aircraft to roll toward the downwind side, increasing the risk of losing control during taxi. Lowering the aileron on the windward side is an essential technique for safe ground handling in adverse wind conditions.