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As we continue on our Trek today, we spot a small airplane flying above us, so I want to continue our theme of flying and ask the question, why do planes take off and land heading into the wind?

When I first started flying lessons many years ago, the concept of taking off into the wind seemed counterintuitive. Wouldn't a pilot have an easier time if the wind were coming from behind the aircraft giving it a push, so to speak, instead of rushing into a strong wind?

The key to taking off into the wind is the concept of lift. The more wind that passes over the wing of the plane will allow the plane to lift off the ground sooner. In short, pilots like to take off into a headwind because it helps them achieve "wheels up" faster. A jetliner like a Boeing 747, needs at least 150 mph of airspeed to become airborne, without wind, the plane has to accelerate to a groundspeed of 180 mph to lift off, but when you have a 30 mph headwind, the plane only has to accelerate to 150 mph, thanks to the extra boost it gets from the headwind.