In flight mechanics, aircraft velocity refers to the speed at which an aircraft travels through the air. Influenced by factors such as engine thrust, aerodynamic forces, and atmospheric conditions, aircraft velocity impacts various flight characteristics, including lift, drag, and stability. Moreover, it plays a pivotal role in calculating other aerodynamic parameters like the Mach number, which signifies the ratio of the aircraft’s velocity to the speed of sound. Increased aircraft velocities lead to higher Mach numbers, resulting in significant aerodynamic effects like compressibility and shock wave formation, especially at transonic and supersonic speeds. The formula to calculate Aircraft velocity as follows:
Where:
- a∞ is the speed of sound in m/s,
- M∞ is the Mach Number.