October 2023

For precise celestial navigation to determine True North using celestial objects like the North Star (Polaris), you’ll need to perform additional calculations based on the observed altitude and azimuth of the celestial body and correct for various factors such as atmospheric refraction and dip. This involves more complex mathematics and is typically done using sight […]

Magnetic variation, also known as magnetic declination, represents the angle between true north (geographic north) and magnetic north (the direction a magnetic compass points). It is expressed in degrees east or west, depending on whether magnetic north is east or west of true north. There isn’t a single formula for magnetic variation, as it varies

Horizontal speed, often referred to as groundspeed, is the speed of an aircraft relative to the ground. It’s the actual speed at which the aircraft is moving horizontally across the Earth’s surface. To calculate horizontal speed, you can use the following formula: Horizontal Speed is the speed of the aircraft relative to the ground, typically

The rate of descent is a crucial parameter in aviation, as it indicates the aircraft’s vertical speed during descent. Pilots use this information to manage descents for safe and efficient flight, descend to prescribed altitudes, and comply with air traffic control instructions. The formula to calculate the rate of descent (ROD) of an aircraft is

The rate of climb is a crucial parameter in aviation, as it indicates the aircraft’s vertical speed and is essential for maintaining proper altitude, complying with air traffic control instructions, and ensuring safe and efficient flight operations. The formula to calculate the rate of climb (ROC) of an aircraft is: Rate of Climb (ROC) is

The “Change in Altitude” in aircraft design refers to the difference in altitude between two points in space or time. It represents the vertical distance an aircraft has ascended or descended during a specific period. The formula to calculate the change in altitude is as follows: Change in Altitude is the vertical distance between the

The Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI) in aircraft design is an instrument used to measure and display an aircraft’s rate of climb or descent. It provides information about the aircraft’s vertical velocity, which is its speed of ascent or descent. Here’s the definition and SI unit for the Vertical Speed Indicator in aircraft design: The formula

The Altimeter in aircraft design is an instrument used to measure and display an aircraft’s altitude above a reference point, typically mean sea level (MSL). It is a critical instrument for navigation and maintaining proper altitude during flight. Here’s the definition and SI unit for the altimeter in aircraft design: Formula: The altimeter operates based

The specific gas constant for dry air, often denoted as “R” (or “R_d” to distinguish it from the universal gas constant “R”), is a fundamental constant used in thermodynamics and fluid dynamics to describe the behavior of dry air. The specific gas constant for dry air can be calculated using the following formula: “R” is

The “Correction Factor” in the Altitude Correction formula is a unit conversion factor used to ensure that the result is in the desired units, such as feet or meters, depending on the units used for pressure altitude and atmospheric pressure. Its purpose is to make the correction in the appropriate units to match the altitude