This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Aircraft therefore have a maximum mach number they can fly at, which is why this becomes the reference speed. When aircraft approach the speed of sound, shockwaves start to form which causes aerodynamic issues. This reduces to about 660 miles an hour at -57 degrees celsius when at 36,000ft. The speed of sound at sea level with an air temperature of 15 degrees celsius is 761 Miles Per Hours. This is not a fixed speed, as the speed of sound varies with the temperature of the air. For example, a Mach Number of 0.80 is 80% of the speed of sound. This is simply a percentage of the speed of sound.
When aircraft get to between 25,000 – 30,000 ft, they reference their speed to a “ Mach Number” rather than knots. In principle, if you had about a 140 mph headwind the aircraft could lift off the ground without moving forward! The Speed of Sound Pilots always make reference their airspeed rather than ground speed as it is the airspeed that keeps the aircraft flying. Conversely, if an aircraft has a 20 mph tail wind, it would need to achieve a 160 mph ground speed in order to lift off the ground. If an aircraft has a take off speed of 140 mph, but has a 20 mph headwind, the aircraft will only need to achieve a 120 mph ground speed before it is able to take off. The speed of the air travelling over the wing dictates how much lift the wing is producing, and it’s this lift that allows the aircraft to support its own weight and allows it to fly. This is because airspeed is a measure of the speed of the air over the wing. If an aircraft is sat still on the runway and has a 20 mph headwind, the aircraft already has an airspeed of 20 mph, despite the fact it isn’t actually moving.
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