Final answer:
The question is about how surface winds affect an airplane's descent from cruising altitude, a topic that falls under high school-level physics. Surface winds can cause an airplane to travel slower and in a different direction than intended, necessitating adjustments by pilots.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to physics, specifically the effect of wind on an airplane's velocity during descent. The provided scenario describes an airplane's surface wind conditions at the destination airport and asks for an explanation of how these winds affect the plane's movement as it descends from cruising altitude. In general, surface winds can significantly influence an airplane's ground speed and flight path. For instance, a strong headwind can decrease the ground speed, making the plane travel slower, while a crosswind can push the plane off course, necessitating corrective action by the pilot to maintain the desired trajectory.
Regarding the example calculations provided from different figures, they illustrate situations where wind velocity and direction affect the total velocity of the plane relative to the ground. In Figure 3.44, despite the airplane heading north at 45.0 m/s, the velocity relative to the ground is 38.0 m/s at an angle west of north due to wind effects. This shows a combination of crosswind and headwind, reducing the plane's relative airspeed and changing its heading.