Wind on the Ground

Wind on the Ground

Wind doesn't only matter in the air. On the ground a gust can push on the wings and tail, so pilots position the controls to hold the airplane down. Here are the ideas you'll use.

ATIS

This stands for Automatic Terminal Information Service — a recorded radio message that tells you the wind and weather at the airport. You listen to it before you taxi.

Turn Into the Wind

When the wind comes from the side, turn the yoke toward it. That pushes the wing on the windy side down so the wind can't lift it.

Yoke Forward for a Tailwind

When the wind comes from behind, push the yoke forward to keep the tail from being lifted.

A strong wind can actually flip a small airplane on the ground if the pilot does not position the controls correctly! That's why we always check the wind first.

Instructor Setup

Start the Cessna 172 G1000 running on the ramp with a steady crosswind set in the simulator (around 10 knots from one side) and the wind shown on the G1000. Plan about 20 minutes. Have the student listen to the ATIS or read the wind before moving.

Session Flow

1. Find the wind (4 min). Show the student the wind direction on the G1000 and the ATIS, and figure out which way it's blowing.
2. The rule (4 min). Teach "turn into the wind" for a crosswind and "yoke forward" for a tailwind, using simple hand demos.
3. Set the controls (4 min). Have the student position the yoke correctly for the current wind.
4. Taxi with correction (6 min). Taxi toward the runway while holding the correct yoke position.
5. Wrap (2 min). Stop at the hold short line; recap and preview "Going Up!"

Change the wind direction once or twice so the student practices choosing the correction. The goal is checking the wind and holding the right yoke position.

Debrief

Confirm the student checks the wind and positions the controls correctly before moving on.

• Found the wind direction from the G1000 and the ATIS
• Turned the yoke into the wind for a crosswind
• Pushed the yoke forward for a tailwind
• Held the correction while taxiing to the hold short line

Next Lesson

Next up is "Going Up!" (K07): the first takeoff and climb to altitude. If reading the wind was tricky today, take two minutes at the start of K07 to find the wind again before lining up.

Skills You'll Work On

These are the maneuvers and procedures covered in this lesson. Your instructor tracks each one as you progress.

• Taxiing Crosswind & Taxi Checks
• Radio Communications
• Preflight Inspection

Grades reflect what was covered in this lesson, not a certification of pilot competency.

Lesson Plan

Where this fits: Third of three sessions drawn from PPL Lesson 2, "Taxiing." This session covers control positioning for wind during ground operations; K04 was the engine start and K05 was basic taxiing.

Prerequisite

K05 — Taxi Practice (can taxi the centerline with the pedals and brakes).

Materials

C172 G1000 simulator running with a crosswind set, airport taxi diagram, headset.

Goal for this session

Student can find the wind direction and hold the correct yoke position while taxiing.

Looking Ahead

• K07 — Going Up!: the first takeoff and climb.
• K08 — How High Can We Go?: reading the altimeter and climbing at the best speed.