FAA Ground School Practice Test

While taxiing a tricycle-gear equipped airplane into a left quartering headwind, how should the flight controls be positioned?

1. Right aileron up, elevator down

2. Left aileron up, elevator neutral

3. Left aileron down, elevator neutral

4. Neutral ailerons, elevator up

The correct answer is: Left aileron up, elevator neutral

When taxiing a tricycle-gear equipped airplane into a left quartering headwind, the correct control position involves raising the left aileron while keeping the elevator neutral. The reason for raising the left aileron is to counteract the effects of the wind. The quartering headwind will tend to lift the left wing more than the right, which can cause the aircraft to veer toward the left. By positioning the left aileron up, you create additional lift on the right wing and help maintain straight ground control. Keeping the elevator neutral is appropriate in this scenario because the primary concern is managing the lateral wind forces rather than needing any additional pitch control. Therefore, the flight control input adequately balances the wind's impact on the aircraft during taxiing, ensuring better stability and control on the ground.