Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

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Prepare to excel in your Certified Flight Instructor exam with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions, each featuring hints and explanations. Master the knowledge you need for success and achieve your certification with confidence!

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If a true heading of 350° results in a ground track of 335°, what could you deduce about wind direction?

From 015° at 30 knots.
From 035° at 40 knots.
From 290° at 40 knots.
From 360° at 20 knots.

The correct answer is: From 035° at 40 knots.

The difference between true heading and ground track provides insight into wind direction. In this scenario, you are facing a true heading of 350°, but your ground track is 335°. The deviation indicates that the wind is acting from the left side of your intended path, causing your aircraft to drift rightward. To ascertain the wind direction, you can determine how much the ground track is offset from the true heading. The true heading of 350° and the ground track of 335° results in a 15° left drift. This drift indicates that the wind is pushing the aircraft from an easterly direction. In this context, the answer pointing to wind from 035° at 40 knots is logically consistent. A wind originating from 035° would push towards the aircraft's left side, aligning with the observed left drift. The intensity of 40 knots, while significant, could feasibly cause such a navigation alteration under certain atmospheric conditions. Therefore, the observation supports that the wind is indeed influencing the aircraft’s trajectory from the left, deducing the wind is from 035°.