Flight Basics

Measuring speed on ground is much easier for vehicles like cars, buses, bikes, etc. by the use of speedometer but in the case of aircraft. Airspeed is not simply what you see inside the cockpit reading through the indicator. Depending upon the instrumentation terms and physical properties of air, Airspeed can be classified as : 1. Indicated Airspeed  Airspeed as indicated by the airspeed indicator inside cockpit that the pilot reference for speed changes. Indicated airspeed is the measured speed of an aircraft as it moves through the air, it is based on the pressure readings collected by the pitot-static system. It changes with the altitude as at higher altitudes the density of air is low and there are fewer molecules to enter the pitot tube and create pressure hence, Indicated airspeed decreases during climb. 2. Calibrated Airspeed Calibrated airspeed is the indicated airspeed corrected for instrument and positional errors. At certain airspeed and flap settings instrumental errors...

         Head Wind A head wind is a wind that flows opposite to the direction of an aircraft, it is favorable in takeoffs and landings as an airfoil moving into a headwind is capable of generating greater lift. During headwind, ground speed of aircraft is equal to the difference of speed of aircraft and speed of wind.  It allows aircraft to reach the lift off speed at a lower ground speed. Air-traffic controllers commonly choose to take off or land in the direction of a runway which will provide head wind. During cruise it will decrease performance by reducing ground speed which in turn increases the fuel requirement for the flight.  Tail Wind A tail wind is a wind that blows in the direction of travel of an aircraft hence, increasing the ground speed of the aircraft, and increases the takeoff distance. During tail wind, ground speed is just equal to the sum of aircraft speed and speed of wind.  It provides a greater ground speed to attain the l...