What happens to indicated airspeed and groundspeed at higher elevation airports?

What happens to indicated airspeed and groundspeed at higher elevation airports?

• A. Indicated airspeed decreases, groundspeed remains unchanged
• B. Both indicated airspeed and groundspeed decrease
• C. Indicated airspeed remains unchanged, groundspeed increases
• D. Indicated airspeed and groundspeed both increase

Answer: (C)

At higher elevation airports, the indicated airspeed does not change because it is based on the aerodynamic pressure acting on the aircraft's airspeed indicator, which remains consistent regardless of elevation. As the elevation increases, the density of the air decreases, leading to lower overall resistance. Groundspeed, on the other hand, can increase depending on the wind conditions. At higher elevations, if you are facing a tailwind, the groundspeed will be higher due to the additional speed contributed by the wind. This contributes to a scenario where indicated airspeed remains unchanged while groundspeed has the potential to increase, particularly if favorable winds are present. This understanding helps to clarify how performance metrics can vary with altitude and wind conditions, and it highlights the importance of considering both indicated airspeed and groundspeed for flight planning at different elevations.

At higher elevation airports, the indicated airspeed does not change because it is based on the aerodynamic pressure acting on the aircraft's airspeed indicator, which remains consistent regardless of elevation. As the elevation increases, the density of the air decreases, leading to lower overall resistance.

Groundspeed, on the other hand, can increase depending on the wind conditions. At higher elevations, if you are facing a tailwind, the groundspeed will be higher due to the additional speed contributed by the wind. This contributes to a scenario where indicated airspeed remains unchanged while groundspeed has the potential to increase, particularly if favorable winds are present.

This understanding helps to clarify how performance metrics can vary with altitude and wind conditions, and it highlights the importance of considering both indicated airspeed and groundspeed for flight planning at different elevations.