Consider a plane flying with groundspeed V_g and airspeed V_a in a wind with velocity V. Which of the following relationships is true? A) V_g can be greater than V_a + V B) V_g = V_a - V C) V_g = V_a + V D) V_g can be less than V_a + V E) V_g can have any value between V_a + V and V_a - V

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The groundspeed of a plane (V_g) is the vector sum of its airspeed (V_a) and the wind velocity (V). Depending on the direction of the wind relative to the plane's heading, the groundspeed can be greater than the airspeed plus the wind speed, less than the airspeed plus the wind speed, or somewhere in between. Therefore, the groundspeed can vary within a range defined by adding or subtracting the wind velocity from the airspeed.

Consider a Plane Flying with Groundspeed Vg and Airspeed Va

Consider a Plane Flying with Groundspeed V_g and Airspeed V_a