Question

An airplane is flying due East with a velocity of 182 m/s. A strong wind is blowing 112 m/s at angle of 134 degrees.

Calculate the groundspeed (in m/s) of the airplane. That is, what is the speed of the airplane as a result of the wind?

Answer 1

To calculate the groundspeed of the airplane, we need to consider the effect of the wind on its velocity. We can break down the wind velocity into its horizontal and vertical components. The horizontal component of the wind velocity is given by 112 m/s * cos(134°), which is approximately -80.03 m/s (negative because it's blowing in the opposite direction of the airplane's velocity).

To find the groundspeed, we need to add the horizontal component of the wind velocity to the velocity of the airplane. So, the groundspeed is 182 m/s + (-80.03 m/s), which is approximately 101.97 m/s.

Therefore, the groundspeed of the airplane, taking into account the wind, is approximately 101.97 m/s.