Air Plane Vector Problems

Introduction
Iʼve decided to jump right in with examples to explain these types of problems. Each
example is explained in detail you should be able to apply these to the ones you are
trying to solve on your sheet.

Examples
Question 1

An airplane is heading south at a speed of 700 km / h. If there is a wind blowing north-

east at 110 km / h, what is the planeʼs velocity relative to ground?

Solution 1

We have three vectors in total. Two of these are given to us. We have the airplanes
velocity and the direction it is going. It is traveling at 700 km / h south as shown in the
figure below.
N
700 km / h [S]
This is the planeʼs velocity relative to the
air. This means that if there was no wind, W E
it would be going 700 km / h.

We know the wind is traveling northeast at 110 km / h. So the wind can be shown as the
vector below:

110 km / h [NE]
This is the wind direction and speed.

45°
45°
 When you add these two velocities together, you will find the resulting velocity. The
resultant vector takes into account both the affects of the vector.

To add vectors, we arrange them head to tale.

A
The Resultant Speed
Θ
700 km / h [S] This also the airplane to ground
N
Velocity of the speed
plane. b

Line c W E
c C

a
S
110 km / h [NE]
45°
45° Line a Θ (Theta) is the angle that the plane
will actually end up going with the
B wind blowing on it.

Below how the plane is affected by the wind.

Wind
The acual direction it going

Plane Heading
 A
The Resultant Speed
Θ
700 km / h [S] This also the airplane to ground
N
Velocity of the speed
plane. b
Line c W E
c C
a
S
110 km / h [NE]
45°
45° Line a Θ (Theta) is the angle that the plane
will actually end up going with the
B wind blowing on it.

To find the velocity relative to ground we must find the length of line b.

To find line b, we can use the cosine law:

633 km\h is the velocity of the plane relative to ground. We do not know the direction
yet.

To find the angle we can use the sine law.

 A
6.4137°

b N

c
C W E

a
S

So, the final velocity is:

633 km/h [S 6.4137° E]

 Question 2

A pilot wants to fly due north. There is a wind blowing east 20 km/h. If the plane can fly
150 km / h in still air:

a) What is the planeʼs heading (i.e the direction the pilot should point the plane)?
b) what is the planeʼs ground velocity?

Solution

We are given the following information:

The Winds Velocity is 20 km/h [E]

The Planes Velocity is 150 km/h [?]
The Airplanes relative to ground velocity ? km/h [N]

We know that the Winds Velocity + the Airplanes Velocity gives us the resultant velocity.
The velocity and direction it will end up going.

So we can place those vectors head to tale

Θ is the angle which the airplane is

heading. The angle Θ counters the wind
pushing the plane over.
Airplanes initial velocity:
The final To find Θ, we know that we have the
Velocity, We Adjacent and the Hypotenuse. This means
150 km/h
know itʼs north, we can use cos (sohCAHtoa).
but we donʼt
know how fast.

? km/h [N]

Wind Velocity:

20 km/h
To find the magnitude, we can use the Pythagorean theorem.

The final velocity is 140 km/h [N]

 Question 3

A plane wants to move [NE]. There is a wind of 120 km / h [S]. The plane, without any
wind, moves at a speed of 700 km/h. Find the:

a) Heading the plane should towards

b) The velocity of plane relative to ground

Solution 3

We know the following information about the plane

The planeʼs final (resultant) heading is ? km/h [NE]

The wind is traveling at 120 km/h [S]
The plane is moving at 700 km/h [?]

We know that the planes final velocity and heading is the result of both the wind and the
planes initial velocity:

Resultant Velocity (Plane Relative to Ground) = Wind Velocity + Plane Velocity.

We place vectors head to tale to add them.

Planes Velocity Relative to Ground

We know the direction is [NE], we do

not know the velocity
a
? km / h [NE]

Velocity of the plane

NE is at a 45° angle, so (relative to air). We donʼt
45 + 90 = 135 know the direction, but we
know itʼs velocity

135° 700 km / h [?Θ]

Wind Speed. This
is one of the parts
of the resultant
vector.
Θ
120 km / h [S]
Currently, we do not have enough information to find either the magnitude of the
resultant vector or the angle of the planes heading. But, we do have enough information
to find the angle a.

We can use the sine law. A

6.962°

700 km/h

Now we have ⅔ angles in our triangle, C 135° c

meaning we can find the final angle.

The total degreeʼs in a triangle is 180°. a

So, meaning: 120 km/h Θ

180 = 135 + 6.962 + Θ B

Θ = 180 - 135 - 6.962

Θ = 38.038

The heading of the airplane is N38°E.

To find the plane to ground relative velocity, we can now use the cos law. A

6.962°

700 km/h
The final velocity is 610 km / h [NE].
C c

120 km/h
a
Θ

B
Verify Answer

Add these two vectors:

V1 = 120 km/h [S]

V2 = 700 km/h [N38°E]

Break them up into components.

430

430

The answer is correct