An airplane is flying on a compass heading of 160 degrees at 425 mph. A wind is blowing with the bearing 200 degrees at 75 mph. Find the actual speed and direction of the airplane.

Answer 1

Vr = 425mph[160o] + 75mph[200o].

X = 425*cos160+75*cos200 = -470 mph.
Y = 425*sin160+75*sin200 = 120 mph.

Tan A = Y/X = 120/-470 = -0.25532.
A = -14.3o. = 14.3o N. of W. = The direction.

Vr = -470/-Cos14.3 = 485 mph. = Resultant speed.