Final answer:
It is safer for a small aircraft to fly on the windward side of a mountain range due to more predictable airflow and less turbulence compared to the unpredictable conditions on the leeward side.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is generally safer for the pilot of a small aircraft to fly on the windward side of a mountain range. On the windward side, the air is rising up and over the mountains, which results in more predictable airflow and less turbulence.
This contrasts with the leeward side, where air descends and can create turbulence known as rotor currents or mountain waves, which can be hazardous to aircraft.
Turbulence can cause sudden changes in altitude and uncontrollable conditions for the pilot. When discussing taking off in an airplane, it's preferable to take off into the wind as it provides more lift and requires a shorter runway. By analogy, when canoeing, it is recommended to paddle near the shore when going upstream due to slower currents, and while downstream, near the middle where the flow is faster and smoother.