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Ground Velocity: Fixed Heading and Drift

Calculate ground speed and track at a held heading, retaining sideways drift, backwards ground travel and the undefined zero-speed direction.

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Inputs that matter
Horizontal airspeed (m/s), Aircraft heading (° true), Wind speed (m/s), Wind FROM bearing (° true), and 3 more
Output to expect
Ground motion at a fixed heading, Fixed-heading motion from components
  • Check the units and required inputs before comparing results.
  • Keep the assumptions with a copied result so you can reproduce the calculation later.
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Reference & details

How it works

Ground motion at a fixed heading

Add the air-velocity vector to a wind vector. This mode holds the heading, so the resulting ground track may drift or point backwards. A zero ground velocity has no defined track.

Ground east = airspeed sin heading − wind sin FROM; ground north = airspeed cos heading − wind cos FROM.

Fixed-heading motion from components

Compute forward and sideways ground motion when wind components are resolved against the heading. A negative forward velocity is retained.

Forward = airspeed − headwind; rightward = −crosswind FROM right; speed = hypot(forward, rightward).

Updated: September 2026

Example Scenarios

Use the example to inspect the method and breakdown, then enter your own documented observations or equipment data.

→ 13 m/s ground speed

Use the example to inspect the method and breakdown, then enter your own documented observations or equipment data.

→ 9.848858 m/s ground speed

FAQ

Add the air-velocity vector to a wind vector. This mode holds the heading, so the resulting ground track may drift or point backwards. A zero ground velocity has no defined track. Compute forward and sideways ground motion when wind components are resolved against the heading. A negative forward velocity is retained.

Retain the measurement time and location, equipment or source document, units and assumptions. Examples illustrate the calculation and must be replaced with your own actual data before saving a personal case.

Use Save planning case for an explicit local history entry. Copy MD includes inputs and notes; Download CSV exports the result breakdown. Keep portable copies and save a separate case after changing the assumptions.

About Ground Velocity: Fixed Heading and Drift

Add the air-velocity vector to a wind vector. This mode holds the heading, so the resulting ground track may drift or point backwards. A zero ground velocity has no defined track. Compute forward and sideways ground motion when wind components are resolved against the heading. A negative forward velocity is retained.