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Chapter 5.
Speed
Introduction Speed is the rate of change of position, or distance covered per unit of time.
It is expressed in linear units per hour. As there are three main linear units, there are three
main expressions of speed:
Knots (kts)
Groundspeed
Relative Speed
Air Speed Indicator Reading (ASIR) The speed measured by the pitot-static system
connected to the air speed indicator without any corrections.
Instrument Error
Caused by inaccuracies during the manufacturing process. Normally
these errors are so small that they are ignored.
Position Error When the air flow around the pitot static system is disrupted then
inaccuracies can occur. Position errors for different configurations are listed in the operating
manual by using graphs or tables.
Indicated Air Speed (IAS)
Indicated air speed is the ASIR corrected for instrument error
due to imperfections in manufacture. The aircraft is flown on IAS.
Rectified Air Speed (RAS)
Rectified Air Speed, sometimes known as Calibrated Air
Speed (CAS) is IAS corrected for Position Error. RAS will equal TAS (True Air Speed) in
calibration conditions, sea level temperature +15C,with pressure 1013.25mb.
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Higher temperatures
If an aircraft flies at the same groundspeed, where the air mass is not moving, the ASI will
indicate a lower speed if:
The correction for air density can be calculated mathematically or by use of the CRP5.
TAS can be mentally calculated by adding 2% of the RAS/CAS for each 1000 feet of pressure
altitude.
Example
the TAS.
STEP 1
Equivalent Air Speed (EAS) Most ASIs are calibrated for an ideal incompressible air flow
(v2). As compression affects all speeds EAS is RAS corrected for compressibility. In real
terms EAS is
the speed equivalent to a given dynamic pressure in ISA conditions at mean sea level.
By using a compressibility factor RAS/CAS can be corrected to give EAS. The CRP5 can be
used for the calculation. Normally compressibility is only corrected for a TAS of greater than
300 knots.
True Air Speed (TAS) True Air Speed is EAS corrected for density error - pressure altitude
and temperature. TAS is the speed of the aircraft relative to the air mass through which the
aircraft is flying.
Groundspeed Ground speed is the speed of the aircraft relative to the earth. It takes into
account the aircraft's movement relative to the air mass (TAS and heading) and movement of
the airmass (wind velocity).
General Navigation
5-2
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H:\Atpl\ATPL Course Material\061 General Navigation
5-3
Aircraft crossing
General Navigation
5-4
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