 A headwind decreases your ground speed, so it will take you longer to get to your destination. A tailwind increases your ground speed, so it will take you less time to reach your destination. |
| On takeoff, a headwind will decrease the distance required to get off of the ground. That is why planes take off and land into the wind. Similarly, a tailwind will increase the distance traveled to take off. |
| If thrust is greater than the force of drag, the plane speeds up or accelerates. As you increase speed, the wing's angle of attack and shape cause more pressure under the wing and less pressure above the wing which increases lift. When enough air speed is attained, the nose of the plane is lifted, increasing the angle of attack and the plane eventually becomes airborne. The plane will stay in the air as long as there is sufficient pressure around the wing to maintain lift. |
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Curator: Tom.Benson@grc.nasa.gov
Responsible Official: Kathy.Zona@grc.nasa.gov