Groundspeed
In the context of aerospace engineering, Groundspeed (GS) refers to the horizontal speed of an aircraft relative to the Earth's surface. It is a crucial parameter in flight dynamics and navigation, and it differs from airspeed, which is the aircraft's speed relative to the surrounding air mass. Groundspeed is influenced by the wind speed and direction; a tailwind increases groundspeed, while a headwind decreases it. Groundspeed is used in calculating the estimated time of arrival (ETA) at a destination. It is also used in flight planning and fuel consumption calculations. Groundspeed can be determined using various methods, including Doppler radar, GPS, and triangulation from ground-based radio beacons. It is important to note that groundspeed does not take into account the vertical speed or altitude changes. Therefore, it is not the total velocity of the aircraft but rather a component of it. Groundspeed is typically measured in knots (nautical miles per hour) in aviation.
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