FAA Ground School Practice Test

Which runway should a pilot land on if the wind is indicated as shown by the landing direction indicator?

1. Runway 28

2. Runway 18

3. Runway 22

4. Runway 36

The correct answer is: Runway 18

To determine the correct runway for landing in relation to the wind direction indicated by the landing direction indicator, a pilot must understand how wind affects landing and takeoff operations. Generally, pilots aim to land into the wind to achieve better performance and control of the aircraft during the critical phases of flight. When the wind is blowing directly from a specific direction, the runway that is aligned as closely as possible into that wind direction is preferred. If the wind direction indicates that it is coming from the south (approximately 180 degrees), then a runway oriented towards the north would be ideal. In this case, Runway 18 (which is aligned at approximately 180 degrees) allows the aircraft to land directly into the wind. This alignment helps to ensure maximum lift and control during landing, as the aircraft will not have to counteract any tailwind that would be present if landing on a runway oriented in a different direction. Therefore, selecting Runway 18 in response to the indicated wind direction is the correct decision, facilitating a more stable approach and landing.