Thread: Application of Vectors - Bearing

An airplane is flying at 450 mph on a heading of 140 degrees. There is a 60mph wind blowing from the east (a heading of 270 degrees). What is the true heading and speed of the plane?

I'm not sure how you begin this problem. I usually know how to set the problem up in a graph, but the heading of 270 degrees is really throwing me off. If anyone can steer me in the right direction, possibly with the drawing of the graph or just helping me that would be great. Thanks!

Originally Posted by lolcheelol

An airplane is flying at 450 mph on a heading of 140 degrees. There is a 60mph wind blowing from the east (a heading of 270 degrees). What is the track over the ground and speed of the plane?

Note that directions are measured clockwise from true North.

The following vector equation applies ...

A + W = G

Put in your angle and speed info you should be able to use the cosine law to solve for the ground vector.