FAA Aviation Mechanic General (AMG)Physics, Math and Fluid LinesMedium
An aircraft travels 450 nautical miles in 1.5 hours at a constant groundspeed. What is the aircraft's groundspeed?
- A450 knots
- B675 knots
- C270 knots
- D300 knots
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 300 knots
Speed equals distance divided by time: 450 NM ÷ 1.5 hr = 300 knots.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Simply restates the distance value, ignoring time.
- B. Results from multiplying instead of dividing.
- C. Results from an incorrect division of the given values.
Speed-Distance-Time Formula
A basic rate formula relating speed, distance, and time, commonly used in navigation and performance calculations.
- Speed = Distance ÷ Time
- Distance = Speed × Time
- Time = Distance ÷ Speed
- Nautical miles per hour equals knots
Memory trick: Distance over time gives you speed every time.