A question about the motion of a flying insect inside a moving vehicle

[dmehling]

I have a very basic question that I have not yet found the answer to. Basically it's this: if you are traveling in a vehicle at 60 mph, what is it that allows a flying insect inside the vehicle to fly around? Is the insect traveling at 60 mph plus or minus its own speed depending on the direction it's flying within the vehicle? If so, why is the fact that it's inside the vehicle allow it to travel at a speed that it could not reach outside of the vehicle? And what if it flew out the window? Would it suddenly fall to the ground because of a loss of speed or would it gradually slow down to its normal speed of flight?

 

[Doc Al]

I have a very basic question that I have not yet found the answer to. Basically it's this: if you are traveling in a vehicle at 60 mph, what is it that allows a flying insect inside the vehicle to fly around?

The air, which is carried along inside the vehicle.

Is the insect traveling at 60 mph plus or minus its own speed depending on the direction it's flying within the vehicle?

Sure, with respect to the ground.

If so, why is the fact that it's inside the vehicle allow it to travel at a speed that it could not reach outside of the vehicle?

Its speed with respect to the air is normal.

And what if it flew out the window? Would it suddenly fall to the ground because of a loss of speed or would it gradually slow down to its normal speed of flight?

If it flew out the window, it would find itself in a rush of backwards moving air (compared to the air inside the vehicle).

 

[Archosaur]

Similarly, the bug could fly that fast outside a car, were it to catch a 60 mph tailwind.

 

[Dr Lots-o'watts]

Imagine riding in a convertible, what would happen to the fly?

Or opening the back window of an SUV.