4
votes
Is my airspeed calculation code correct?
If you apply the law of cosines to the triangle formed by the vectors $\vec{A}$ (Airspeed), $\vec{W}$ (Wind) and $\vec{G_S}$ (Ground speed), where $\vec{G_S}=\vec{A}+\vec{W}$, you get:
$$|\vec{A}|=\...
- 531
4
votes
Accepted
How to determine the maximum forward airspeed of a plane in an unaccelerated flight?
EDIT: I added a calculation at the end of the answer
Thrust $T$ produced by a propeller is:
$T=\eta \frac{P}{V}$
where $\eta$ is the propeller's efficiency, $P$ the power supplied to the propeller ...
- 4,299
3
votes
Does optimum IAS for climb vary with altitude?
Your equations aren't quite right. For example, you use IAS where CAS is intended. And drag power is V D, not V D / W. (Energy is force times distance and power is force times velocity.) Additionally, ...
- 31
2
votes
Accepted
Why does true airspeed decrease with altitude?
The power that can be produced by a normally aspirated piston engine reduces with altitude -- as you note, the air gets thinner. This is typically modeled as:
$\frac{HP}{HP_0}=1.132 \sigma - 0.132$
...
- 555
1
vote
Speed change in IFR flight in class C or D airspace
Yes, as long as ATC did not assign you any speed restrictions and so long as you comply with any applicable chart-listed speed restrictions and with things like 14 CFR Section 91.117, obviously.
See ...
- 11
1
vote
How to determine the maximum forward airspeed of a plane in an unaccelerated flight?
Your "givens" include a table of Cl/Cd versus airspeed.
Therefore it is simple to prepare a graph of Cd/Cl versus airspeed.
From this, you can prepare a graph of (Weight * (Cd/Cl)) versus ...
- 19.3k
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