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Which speed measures motion across Earth's surface?

Groundspeed is speed across the surface, while airspeed is speed through air.

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  1. Vertical speed
  2. True airspeed
  3. Groundspeed ✔

Why: Groundspeed tells how quickly the airplane moves over the ground. Wind can make it different from speed through the surrounding air.

Huh, didn't know that: A tailwind usually increases groundspeed for the same airspeed.

The dad joke
Why did groundspeed check the map? It wanted to see how fast it was going places!
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References

Answer: Groundspeed. Groundspeed tells how quickly the airplane moves over the ground. Wind can make it different from speed through the surrounding air.

  1. Civil Air Patrol, Journey of Flight Teacher's Guide www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/2nd_edition_Teachers_Guide_5D3166D76F9B1.pdf
    Ground speed is a measure of how fast your aircraft is going across the surface of the Earth.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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