In aviation, GS is the common abbreviation for Ground Speed.
Ground speed is a fundamental measurement in flight, representing the horizontal speed of an aircraft relative to the surface of the Earth. Unlike airspeed, which measures the aircraft's speed relative to the surrounding air mass, ground speed is affected by wind conditions.
Here is the definition from the provided reference:
Term | Main definition |
---|---|
GS | Ground Speed |
Understanding ground speed is crucial for pilots and air traffic control for navigation, flight planning, and calculating estimated times of arrival (ETA). A strong tailwind will increase ground speed, while a strong headwind will decrease it, even if the aircraft's airspeed remains constant.