Speeds

Calibrated Airspeed (CAS) - indicated

airspeed corrected for instrument or position
inaccuracies. The calibrated airspeed can be
found in the pilot operating handbook or on the
airspeed indicator.
Indicated Airspeed (IAS) - the airspeed
read directly from the airspeed indicator.
Groundspeed (GS) - the actual speed of
the airplane passing over the ground.
Groundspeed is true airspeed corrected for
wind. You can find the aircraft groundspeed by
calculating it with a flight computer.
True Airspeed (TAS) - the actual speed
relative to the surrounding air. True airspeed is
calibrated airspeed corrected for nonstandard
pressure and temperature. You can determine
the aircraft's true airspeed with a flight
computer.
re and temperature. You can determine the
aircraft's true airspeed with a flight computer.
Altitudes

Indicated Altitude- the altitude depicted

on the altimeter. Remember that indicated
altitude is the vertical distance above mean sea
level (MSL), not above the ground.
Density Altitude-pressure altitude
corrected for nonstandard temperature. You can
calculate density altitude with a flight computer.
Pressure Altitude- the altitude shown on

the altimeter when the altimeter is set to 29.92

inches, or standard atmospheric pressure.
Absolute Altitude- vertical distance of the
aircraft above the surface of the earth, or above
ground level (AGL).
True Altitude - the aircraft altitude above
mean sea level (MSL). You can determine the
true altitude with a flight computer.
Directional

True North- The geographic north pole is

located at the northernmost point. True north is
not the same location as magnetic north, due to
the rotation of the earth in relation to the
earth's magnetic field.
Magnetic North- the northern location
where the Earth's magnetic force has the most
downward pull. If you were to stand on
magnetic north, a magnetic compass would
point straight down. Magnetic north varies due
to shifts in the Earth's core, and is at a different
location than true north.
Magnetic Variation- the angular
difference between true north and magnetic
north. Also known as declination.
Magnetic Deviation- a magnetic anomaly
that affects the compass. The magnetic
compass in the aircraft is affected by
surrounding magnetic and electrical
disturbances in the airplane.
Compass Heading- the aircraft's magnetic
heading corrected for deviation. The deviation is

found on a compass card, or a placard near the

compass, and it usually varies by just a degree
or two.
Magnetic Course- true course corrected
for magnetic variation.
Magnetic Heading- true heading
corrected for magnetic variation. You can
determine the magnetic variation from a
sectional map.
True Course - the aircraft's course over the
ground relative to true north. True course is
measured with a navigation plotter and a
sectional map.
True Heading - true course corrected for
wind.
Basic Calculations

Time = distance/groundspeed (t=d/GS)

Distance = groundspeed/time (d=GS/t)
Groundspeed = distance/time (GS=d/t)
Fuel consumption: Gallons/hour x time (GPH x T)
Standard Atmospheric Conditions:

Standard Temperature = 15 degrees Celsius

or 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
Standard Pressure = 29.92" mercury or 14.5
psi or 1013.2 mb