When an aircraft is flying with the wind, the dynamics of the glide path are influenced by the interaction between the aircraft's airspeed and the wind's effect. As the wind speed decreases while flying with the prevailing wind, the lift generated by the aircraft is less relative to the horizontal motion. This means the aircraft needs to maintain a higher angle of descent to maintain control over its descent and glide path, which results in a steeper glide path.
When wind speed increases, it can alter the descent profile, particularly if the aircraft is flying against it. A stronger headwind will slow down the forward speed relative to the ground, which can lead to a decrease in the vertical descent rate. However, the key factor in this scenario is focusing on conditions when the aircraft is moving with the wind, where a decrease in wind from its usual level prompts a steeper angle of descent due to the reduced lift.
This understanding of how different wind conditions can affect glide paths is crucial for skydivers, as it affects the accuracy of their landing and overall jump strategy.