While flying on a 3º glideslope, what would occur if a constant tailwind shears into a calm wind?

When flying on a 3º glideslope, encountering a constant tailwind that shifts into a calm wind has significant implications for the aircraft's performance. A tailwind provides a forward boost, allowing the aircraft to maintain ground speed efficiently while descending on the glideslope. However, if that tailwind transitions suddenly to a calm wind, the aircraft would no longer experience that added ground speed.

As a result, there is a direct impact on the airspeed, which would start to decrease due to the loss of the tailwind. With airspeed decreasing, the aircraft's pitch attitude typically increases—this is due to the pilot needing to raise the nose of the aircraft to maintain lift, preventing it from descending too rapidly. Consequently, the combination of reduced airspeed and increased pitch attitude means the aircraft will likely start to climb above the intended glideslope.

This scenario illustrates the dynamics of transitioning wind conditions and how they affect an aircraft's trajectory relative to the glideslope. Properly recognizing and compensating for these changes is crucial for maintaining a stable approach. Thus, the correct answer reflects the need to understand how variations in wind can directly influence airspeed and pitch attitude, which in turn affect the aircraft's position relative to the glideslope