If surface winds are blowing from west to east, which direction should you face to fly the downwind leg of the landing pattern?

When flying the downwind leg of a landing pattern, the aircraft is positioned parallel to the runway and the winds are at the pilot's back. Since the surface winds are blowing from west to east, you would be flying with the wind coming from behind you. This means that to align with the wind blowing from west to east, you would need to face east.

Flying downwind in this situation allows for a more gradual speed reduction and setup for the next leg of the landing pattern, which is the base leg. Understanding wind direction and how it affects your position relative to the ground is crucial in parachuting, as it directly influences landing accuracy and safety.