Originally Posted by
pilotbear
If your stall speed is 45kt you will have a problem unless you accelerate your G/S.
G/S + W/S = IAS so 40+10=50 but with tailwind 40 + (-10) =30
so you need a G/S of 60kt to fly.
Whilst airborne, groundspeed is irrelevant. Aerodynamics work irrespective of what the ground is doing (unless you collide with it).
I think that turning back on yourself is discouraged because it generally requires a high level of skill and judgement to execute such a manouver safely, particularly when under stress. When discussing launch-failure eventualities (I'm a glider pilot) the option to do a 180 in the event of a problem is always considered. That's where looking at things like windspeed, directrion, other traffic, etc. before you take off helps as you can assess and discount options and come up with a plan that you can execute WHEN a failure happens (and I always assume that it will).