AI.II.I.K5aFAA-S-ACS-25 · Nov 2023Knowledge

a. Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and grounds...

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Calculating: a. Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and groundspeed

Bottom line

Groundspeed is determined by combining the movement of the aircraft with that of the air mass. Groundspeed can be computed by the time required to fly between two points a known distance apart. To arrive at compass heading, after the true course is measured and wind correction applied resulting in a true heading, the sequence TH ± variation = magnetic heading ± deviation = compass heading is followed.

Key numbers

Key numbers for a. Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and grounds...
NumberWhat it means
250 KIAS below 10,000 feet MSLSpeed limit
1 mile per 10 knots of head or tail wind at cruise altitudeWind adjust
about 10 KIAS lost per mile in level flightDeceleration
approximately 3 degreesDescent path

FAA references

  1. PHAK ch. 16 (p. 16-9) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  2. AFH ch. 16 (pp. 16-17–16-18) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  3. AFH ch. 3 (p. 3-23) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  4. RMH ch. 3 (p. 3-14) — FAA-H-8083-2A
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