When flying low over hilly terrain, when is the greatest danger from turbulent air currents typically encountered?

When flying low over hilly terrain, the greatest danger from turbulent air currents is typically encountered on the leeward side when flying into the wind. This is due to the phenomenon known as mountain waves, which occur as air is forced upward by the terrain. On the windward side, the airflow is generally smoother as the air rises over the hill. However, as the air descends on the leeward side, it can create zones of severe turbulence, especially when the aircraft is flying into the wind.

When the wind impacts the terrain, the air flows over and around the hill, creating low-pressure areas and potentially causing erratic and unpredictable air movement. This turbulence can be amplified when the aircraft is ascending or descending into the wind on the leeward side. In contrast, when flying with a tailwind on the leeward side, the effects can be less severe since the aircraft is moving away from the turbulent region created by the airflow disruption over the terrain.

The other choices describe scenarios that do not typically exacerbate the turbulence as much as flying into the wind on the leeward side. Overall, understanding the dynamics of wind and terrain interaction is crucial for maintaining safety while flying in hilly regions.