I think a 5kt tailwind should be taught in PPL training so a pilot is aware of, and has experienced, the difference in handling.co-joe wrote:The problem with taking the 5 kt tailwind today is that tomorrow you'll take 6 or 10 kts, because 5 wasn't that bad. And eventually you'll be that Challenger going into Aspen Colorado with 33 kts up the tail pipe...
5000' density altitude, 3000' grass strip, prevailing wind from the west, windsock is wrapped around the pole. A 182 takes off towards the west. The strip is known for wind shear on short final.
Believing that the wind is from the west, I make my approach and as I pass over the fence at 10-20' I realize wow, am I ever going fast.
What followed can be described as the worst landing of my life. I obviously attempted to force the plane down, which resulted in a violent (and my first) porpoise. I immediately give it full gas, which in the dreaded 150 with full flaps results in the perfect landing attitude. Since there was still 1500' of runway left, I eased off the gas and landed, properly this time

I really would have preferred some experience with a tailwind with an instructor before I had to do it myself.
As always YMMV
LF