A380-800 max speed
11-25-2014, 08:45 PM
#1
New Hire
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Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 2
A380-800 max speed
Hi all
I am not a pilot but just an individual who is very enthusiastic on aviation, and very curious on certain things.
I have a question which have been trying to search an answer for but to no avail so far. I am not sure if my question is relevant/ridiculous but hope it is not, and hope someone can enlighten me.
I have read on the max speed of A380-800, which is around 1020 kph. I recently travel from JFK - SIN and noticed that the speed was slightly over 1400 kph, at altitude of 39000 ft over Bay of Bengal! I keep wondering...Is it normal for A380-800 to travel at such speed? Probably tail wind affecting the speed as well? or probably the flight is running out of schedule? Obviously the max speed of A380-800 is not 1020 kph...it capable of going much faster than that. Anyone know what is the max speed ever recorded on A380-800?
Apologies for my ignorance and please don't ridicule my question. Thank you.
Layman who is just curious on aviation.
I am not a pilot but just an individual who is very enthusiastic on aviation, and very curious on certain things.
I have a question which have been trying to search an answer for but to no avail so far. I am not sure if my question is relevant/ridiculous but hope it is not, and hope someone can enlighten me.
I have read on the max speed of A380-800, which is around 1020 kph. I recently travel from JFK - SIN and noticed that the speed was slightly over 1400 kph, at altitude of 39000 ft over Bay of Bengal! I keep wondering...Is it normal for A380-800 to travel at such speed? Probably tail wind affecting the speed as well? or probably the flight is running out of schedule? Obviously the max speed of A380-800 is not 1020 kph...it capable of going much faster than that. Anyone know what is the max speed ever recorded on A380-800?
Apologies for my ignorance and please don't ridicule my question. Thank you.
Layman who is just curious on aviation.
11-25-2014, 09:30 PM
#3
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Joined APC: Apr 2009
Position: 777-300ER Right
Posts: 72
The maximum speed at cruise altitudes is actually a mach number. Beyond that speed, high speed buffet and eventually high speed stall will occur, as the shock-wave builds up.
Mach number is merely a function of true airspeed and temperature. In still air, that may provide a groundspeed of 1020kph, but at cruise altitudes, its very common to encounter headwinds or tailwinds of over 200kph.
In this instance, if you have a 200kph tailwind, you'll have a groundspeed of 1220kph.
At lower altitudes, the max speed is indicated/calibrated airspeed. That is, in essence, the force that the air exerts on the airframe. Going beyond that, as you have alluded to, will eventually cause damage to the airframe.
However, all our max speeds include a bit of a buffer, as safety margin. The test pilots have figured out the actual limits, and the manufacturer and regulating authority add a safety buffer to this.
Hope this helps.
Mach number is merely a function of true airspeed and temperature. In still air, that may provide a groundspeed of 1020kph, but at cruise altitudes, its very common to encounter headwinds or tailwinds of over 200kph.
In this instance, if you have a 200kph tailwind, you'll have a groundspeed of 1220kph.
At lower altitudes, the max speed is indicated/calibrated airspeed. That is, in essence, the force that the air exerts on the airframe. Going beyond that, as you have alluded to, will eventually cause damage to the airframe.
However, all our max speeds include a bit of a buffer, as safety margin. The test pilots have figured out the actual limits, and the manufacturer and regulating authority add a safety buffer to this.
Hope this helps.
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