What would be the ground speed of an aircraft with a true airspeed of 180 knots and a tailwind of 30 knots?

Prepare for the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Basics Block 3 Test. Study with in-depth flashcards, hints, and explanations for each question. Ace your ATC exam!

To determine the ground speed of an aircraft, you combine the aircraft's true airspeed with the effect of the wind. In this case, the aircraft has a true airspeed of 180 knots, and there is a tailwind of 30 knots. A tailwind adds to the aircraft's speed over the ground, making it faster than just the true airspeed alone.

Therefore, to calculate the ground speed, you simply add the tailwind to the true airspeed:

Ground Speed = True Airspeed + Tailwind

Ground Speed = 180 knots + 30 knots

Ground Speed = 210 knots

This calculation shows that the ground speed of the aircraft, influenced by the tailwind, ends up being 210 knots, which is the correct and final answer. The ground speed is vital information for pilots for navigation and fuel efficiency, making this calculation an essential skill in air traffic control and aviation in general.

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