How is true airspeed calculated?

True airspeed is calculated using indicated airspeed, pressure altitude, and temperature because these factors help account for the effects of air density on the performance of the aircraft.

Indicated airspeed (IAS) does not reflect changes in air density at different altitudes, which is crucial for understanding the aircraft's speed relative to the surrounding atmosphere. As altitude increases, air becomes less dense, and IAG does not compensate for this change. By using pressure altitude, which reflects the height of an aircraft above the standard datum plane, and the outside air temperature, one can determine the air density.

Together, these variables allow pilots to correct the indicated airspeed to find the true airspeed (TAS). TAS is essential for flight planning, navigation, and performance calculations, as it provides an accurate representation of the aircraft's speed through the air, which is vital for maintaining consistent flight performance and safety.

In contrast, ground speed and wind correction involve factors related to the ground and the effect of wind, but they do not provide a direct measure of true airspeed, which is purely an aerodynamic concept. Calibrated airspeed addresses instrument errors but does not incorporate actual ambient conditions like temperature and altitude. Therefore, while these options touch on different aspects of