Solving the Direction of an Airplane Flying in the Wind

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the direction and ground speed of an airplane flying at a bearing of 340 degrees with a speed of 325 mph, while being affected by a wind blowing at a bearing of 320 degrees at 40 mph. The component form of the airplane's velocity is derived using the equations v_x = v cos(φ) and v_y = v sin(φ). The participants emphasize the need to apply vector addition to determine the resultant velocity and direction of the airplane relative to the ground.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector components in physics
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions (sine and cosine)
  • Knowledge of bearings and their application in navigation
  • Basic principles of relative motion in aerodynamics
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  • Research vector addition techniques in physics
  • Learn about the impact of wind on aircraft navigation
  • Study the use of trigonometric functions in navigation calculations
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Aerospace engineers, pilots, meteorologists, and students studying physics or aviation who are interested in understanding the effects of wind on flight direction and speed.

Lazz72
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Here's the problem: An airplane is flying on a bearing of 340 degrees at 325 mph. A wind is blowing with the bearing of 320 degrees at 40 mph.

a) Find the component form of the velocity of the airplane.
b) Find the actual ground speed and direction of plane.

I can find the component form for the velocity of the airplane and the actual ground speed for the plane, but I don't know how to find the direction. I know it's a certain formula I don't know. Could someone please explain how to find the direction of the plane?
 
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If you can find the ground speed of the plane you apparently know that

v_x = v \cos {\phi}

and

v_y = v \sin {\phi}

now if you divide those equations ...

for an airplane the x direction is to the north and the y direction to the east.
 

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