1. What is Ground Speed?

Ground Speed (GS) is the horizontal speed of an aircraft relative to the ground. It combines the aircraft's true airspeed (TAS) with wind effects and is crucial for flight planning and navigation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Ground Speed equation:

Where:

• \( GS \) — Ground Speed (knots)
• \( TAS \) — True Air Speed (knots)
• \( \theta \) — Angle between heading and track (degrees)
• \( wind \) — Wind speed component (knots)

Explanation: The equation accounts for the aircraft's speed through the air, the effect of wind, and any crosswind component through the angle θ.

3. Importance of Ground Speed Calculation

Details: Accurate ground speed calculation is essential for flight planning, fuel calculations, estimated time of arrival (ETA), and navigation accuracy.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter true airspeed in knots, angle in degrees (0° for direct headwind/tailwind, 90° for pure crosswind), wind speed in knots, and select wind direction.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between TAS and GS?
A: TAS is speed through the air mass; GS is speed over the ground, accounting for wind effects.

Q2: How does wind direction affect GS?
A: Headwinds decrease GS, tailwinds increase GS, and crosswinds affect the angle between heading and track.

Q3: What's a typical GS for commercial jets?
A: Typically 450-550 knots, but varies with aircraft type, altitude, and wind conditions.

Q4: Why use cosine of the angle?
A: The cosine gives the component of the wind that's parallel to the aircraft's direction of travel.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a good estimate but actual GS may vary due to changing wind conditions and other factors.