-----Original Message-----
From: Gerry Cox <GCox@DEK.COM>
To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Date: Monday, May 10, 1999 6:32 AM
Subject: Re: Airspeed (and telemetry project)


> Airspeed indicators under read as altitude increases.
>


Indicated airspeed (IA) in "real" planes is also lower than actual speed at
altitude because of the difference in the air pressure.  Remember though,
that because the lift effectiveness of the wings and thrust of the propeller
(as appropriate) degrade proportionally with the decrease in pressure, the
aerodynamics of the plane are constant when compared to similar IA, even
though the ground speed may be higher at the higher altitude.   In
otherwords, if you're trying to calibrate your model to cruise at rate of
best glide, for the longest flight, do not try to compensate for the
altitude when doing your calculations.

Sorry about the off-topic, or if you understood that, or if you don't
care...  For more information, check out news:rec.aviation.student  There
are lots of people who understand this stuff way better than me there!

-Steve (brand new pilot)