If true airspeed is adjusted for wind, what is the result?

Study for the NIFE Aerodynamics Exam. Dive into a range of multiple choice questions designed to test your understanding of aerodynamics. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations to boost your preparation for the main exam.

When true airspeed is adjusted for wind, the resulting speed is referred to as ground speed. True airspeed represents the actual speed of the aircraft through the air, while ground speed is the speed of the aircraft relative to the ground. By taking into account wind conditions—such as headwinds or tailwinds—the true airspeed can be adjusted to determine how fast the aircraft is moving over the ground.

In practical terms, if an aircraft has a true airspeed of 150 knots and encounters a headwind of 20 knots, the ground speed would be reduced to 130 knots. Conversely, if there was a tailwind of 20 knots, the ground speed would increase to 170 knots. This relationship is essential for pilots when planning their flight paths, timing, and fuel calculations, as ground speed directly affects the flight duration and distance covered over the Earth’s surface.

The other options relate to different airspeed definitions that do not directly incorporate wind adjustments to determine the speed over the ground, which is the essence of the question.

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