Question for Brad

[snakeboy]

Just done a flight from EGCC(Manchester) to VIDP (India ) 8 hours or so, cruising at F360 81 Mach. I don't understand the connection
between the Mach speed and ground speed. What puzzled me is that the ground speed fluctuated between 480 and 530 enen though
the air speed remained constant. Is that normal. Not inmportant but just curious why.

[alphaone]

Its because of winds.

ie: if you have a tailwind, your IAS will read much slower than your GS. That's because you're flying with the wind. Get it? The opposite for a
headwind.

[snakeboy]

Cheers.

[SWAFO]

alphaone wrote:
Its because of winds.

ie: if you have a tailwind, your IAS will read much slower than your GS. That's because you're flying with the wind.
Get it? The opposite for a headwind.

I think you meant TAS will read much slower than your GS. IAS is going to be a HELL of a lot lower... remember,
that's your speed in ideal conditions and at sea level. TAS and GS are the speeds that factor in at higher
altitudes. In simple terms, TAS (True Air Speed) is your speed through the air with no relation to the wind, while
GS (Ground Speed) is your speed through the air with wind factored in. GS is the one that matters when at higher
altitudes. It determines our arrival time, any delays, and associated items.

Hope this helps!