Equivalent airspeed

Equivalent airspeed is a way to measure how fast an airplane is actually moving through the air, even though the air around the plane can be moving too. Imagine sitting in a car and feeling the wind blowing in your face, even though the car is moving forward. The same thing can happen to an airplane.

Equivalent airspeed takes into account the air pressure around the plane, which can change depending on the weather and altitude. This is important because it helps pilots know how fast they are actually moving and how much fuel they need to use during the flight.

Think of it like this: if you're running on a treadmill, you might feel like you're going really fast, but in reality, you're not moving forward. You need to know your speed and distance traveled to make sure you're meeting your fitness goals. Similarly, equivalent airspeed helps pilots calculate their distance and speed accurately while they're flying.