During a landing approach, if the aircraft encounters wind shear with a decreasing headwind, what will happen in the absence of pilot action?

During a landing approach, if the aircraft encounters wind shear with a decreasing headwind, what will happen in the absence of pilot action?

• A. It flies above the glide path.
• B. It flies below the glide path.
• C. It has an increasing true airspeed.
• D. It has a decreasing true airspeed.

Answer: (A)

When an aircraft encounters wind shear with a decreasing headwind during the landing approach, the dynamics of lift and power are affected. A decreasing headwind means that the aircraft's relative wind speed against its forward movement is reduced. In this situation, if the pilot does not take corrective action, the aircraft will experience a loss of lift due to the reduced airspeed relative to the ground. The aircraft will not maintain its intended altitude on approach; instead, it will tend to descend more rapidly than planned. Consequently, the aircraft will fly above the intended glide path in the absence of corrective pilot actions because it moves faster through the air than it does over the ground. The decreasing headwind will result in a greater ground speed without the corresponding increase in aerodynamic lift and altitude, leading the aircraft to be positioned higher than the ideal glide path for landing. In essence, without appropriate intervention from the pilot to adjust for this change in wind conditions, the aircraft will lose situational awareness regarding its vertical position, ultimately resulting in it flying above the established glide path.

When an aircraft encounters wind shear with a decreasing headwind during the landing approach, the dynamics of lift and power are affected. A decreasing headwind means that the aircraft's relative wind speed against its forward movement is reduced. In this situation, if the pilot does not take corrective action, the aircraft will experience a loss of lift due to the reduced airspeed relative to the ground.

The aircraft will not maintain its intended altitude on approach; instead, it will tend to descend more rapidly than planned. Consequently, the aircraft will fly above the intended glide path in the absence of corrective pilot actions because it moves faster through the air than it does over the ground. The decreasing headwind will result in a greater ground speed without the corresponding increase in aerodynamic lift and altitude, leading the aircraft to be positioned higher than the ideal glide path for landing.

In essence, without appropriate intervention from the pilot to adjust for this change in wind conditions, the aircraft will lose situational awareness regarding its vertical position, ultimately resulting in it flying above the established glide path.