Which term describes the speed of an aircraft relative to the ground, accounting for wind?

Which term describes the speed of an aircraft relative to the ground, accounting for wind?

• A. FUSELAGE
• B. GROUND SPEED
• C. HEADWIND
• D. GROUND POWER UNIT

Answer: (B)

Ground speed is the speed of an aircraft relative to the ground, after factoring in wind. It’s found by combining the airplane’s speed through the air (airspeed) with the wind’s effect. If there’s a tailwind, the wind pushes the plane forward, increasing ground speed; if there’s a headwind, the wind pushes against the plane, reducing ground speed. For example, with an airspeed of 250 knots and a 50-knot tailwind, ground speed is 300 knots; with a 50-knot headwind, ground speed is 200 knots. The fuselage is just the aircraft’s body, headwind describes the wind’s direction relative to the aircraft, and a ground power unit is ground support equipment—none are terms for speed relative to the ground.

Ground speed is the speed of an aircraft relative to the ground, after factoring in wind. It’s found by combining the airplane’s speed through the air (airspeed) with the wind’s effect. If there’s a tailwind, the wind pushes the plane forward, increasing ground speed; if there’s a headwind, the wind pushes against the plane, reducing ground speed. For example, with an airspeed of 250 knots and a 50-knot tailwind, ground speed is 300 knots; with a 50-knot headwind, ground speed is 200 knots. The fuselage is just the aircraft’s body, headwind describes the wind’s direction relative to the aircraft, and a ground power unit is ground support equipment—none are terms for speed relative to the ground.