In which direction should an aircraft be handed downwind to minimize wing lift when tied down?

To minimize wing lift when an aircraft is tied down, it is essential to position the aircraft downwind. When the aircraft is in a downwind configuration, the wind flows in the same direction as the aircraft is facing, which helps to reduce the effective wind speed acting on the wings. This reduction in relative wind over the wings mitigates lift, a crucial aspect when considering aircraft stability while tied down.

When an aircraft experiences excessive lift while tied down, it can potentially lead to movement or even damage if the wind conditions are strong. Having the aircraft oriented with the wind direction helps ensure that the lift generated is minimized, thus maintaining the stability of the aircraft in a tied-down state. This is especially vital in predicting how wind will interact with the aircraft, ensuring it remains secure in its position.

Additionally, the other options do not effectively minimize wing lift. Facing the nose into the wind would not reduce lift but could increase it due to the wind's effect on the wings. Similarly, crosswind or against the wind configurations do not address the need to optimize lift reduction effectively as downwind does. Therefore, orienting the aircraft downwind is the most effective way to minimize wing lift when tied down.