Mike Weller wrote:
Consider the old example taught to students (or should be):

1. 100kt airplane (no wind)
2. 50kt. wind from the west (270)
3. Round trip 400 nm (point A to point B and return)
4. Course from point A to point B is 270

Round trip time with no wind is 4 hours.

With a 50kt headwind the time from point A to point B is 4 hours.
Sure, you've got a tail wind going back, but you will never make up
for the headwind.

Why not? Ginsberg's Theorem, which paraphrases the three fundementals
of thermodynamics. may be a clue.



Of course, the real reason is with the higher groundspeed in the tailwind,
you're not in it as long. Headwinds always hurt more than tailwinds help, if
you're going round trip.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE