Question

A plane is maintaining a 270◦ heading at 37◦ N latitude, with an air speed of 560 miles per hour. the cruise control is engaged, using a pressure altimeter while over the Ocean. The altimeter is set for a sea level pressure 1010 hPa and keeps an indicated altitude of 38,500 feet. At the start of a 1 hour period the radar altimeter, which provides the actual distance above the surface, shows 35,725 feet. At the end of the 1 hour period, the radar altimeter shows 37,820 feet. Assuming purely geostrophic flow, what direction and about how far has the plane drifted from its course.

Answer 1

Answer:-

Given that

Height at which flight is flying

Pressure reading

Height for the flight at start of one hour

Height after one hour

Determine the direction and distance by which plane has drifted.

Calculate the intitial velocity of the flight with respect to ground

  

At the end of one hour

  

Consider the speed of the wind as

  

Taking an angle of

and

  

  

Calculate the angle of tilting

  

Hence, the new position of the plane is

Calculate the drift

  

The drift is