USPA Skydiving B License Practice test

What effect does increasing wind speed have on the glide path when flying with the wind?

1. The glide path becomes shallower

2. The glide path remains constant

3. The glide path becomes steeper

4. The descent rate increases

The correct answer is: The glide path becomes shallower

Increasing wind speed when flying with the wind causes the glide path to become shallower. In skydiving, the glide path refers to the trajectory taken by a parachutist as they descend towards the landing area. When there is an increase in wind speed in the direction of flight, it effectively helps to carry the parachute horizontally, allowing for a more extensive horizontal travel distance as the descent progresses. This means that while the parachutist is still descending, the additional forward motion from the increased wind speed results in a more extended glide, thereby making the angle of descent shallower. A shallower glide path indicates that the parachutist is covering more horizontal distance relative to the vertical distance traveled, which can be advantageous for making precise landings. Understanding this effect is critical for skydivers to make informed decisions about their approach and landing, especially in varying wind conditions. The other options presented do not accurately reflect the relationship between wind speed and glide path dynamics in this context.