Except where a runway use program is in effect, you should use the runway most nearly aligned with the wind when the wind is _____ KT or more.

• A. 3
• B. 5
• C. 8
• D. 12

Answer: (B)

Using the runway most nearly aligned with the wind reduces crosswind during takeoff and landing, making control easier and improving safety. The rule in the absence of a runway use program is that you should select the wind-aligned runway when the wind is five knots or more. At or above five knots, the crosswind component becomes noticeable enough that aligning with the wind materially improves handling, helps keep the aircraft tracking correctly, and enhances overall performance during critical phases of flight. If the wind is below five knots, the benefit of strict alignment is small, so the requirement isn’t as important. The other speeds don’t reflect this threshold—the five-knot mark is the standard point where the wind-aligned choice becomes the rule.