Aviation & Aeronautics
Basic

Ground Speed

Ground speed is true airspeed adjusted for the headwind/tailwind component.

Formula

GS=TAS±WGS = TAS \pm W

Variables

GSGround speed
TASTrue airspeed
WWind component (+tail, −head)

Example

TAS 120 kt, 20 kt tailwind: GS = 140 kt

Did You Know?

A jet can post a triple-digit tailwind: transatlantic flights ride the jet stream to save an hour or more.

ground speedwindnavigation