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AI.IX.B.K4FAA-S-ACS-25 · Nov 2023Knowledge

Effects of wind on ground track and relation to a ground reference.

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Effects of wind on ground track and relation to a ground reference.

Bottom line

The wind triangle is a graphic explanation of the effect of wind upon flight, and it is the basis of dead reckoning. If there is no wind, the aircraft's ground track is the same as the heading and the groundspeed is the same as the true airspeed.

Key numbers

Key numbers for Effects of wind on ground track and relation to a ground reference.
NumberWhat it means
600–1,000 ft AGL for ground reference maneuversAltitude
180 degrees with constant radius, when there is no windNo-wind arc

FAA references

  1. AFH ch. 7 (p. 7-3) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  2. AFH ch. 7 (p. 7-2) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  3. PHAK ch. 16 (p. 16-13) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  4. AFH ch. 7 (p. 7-4) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  5. AFH ch. 7 (p. 7-5) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  6. AFH ch. 1 (p. 1-12) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  7. AFH ch. 7 (p. 7-18) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  8. AFH ch. 7 (p. 7-15) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  9. AFH ch. 4, Viewing the Airplane as an Energy System (p. 4-1) — FAA-H-8083-3C
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