Cruising at 800MPH

[davidpt40]

Never heard of wind shear in the flight levels.

Suppose it's possible.

- oldman

No he means loss of relative airspeed due to the tail wind.  Shear literally means transverse, as in a vertical wind.

[Oldman731]

No he means loss of relative airspeed due to the tail wind.  Shear literally means transverse, as in a vertical wind.

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2002/july/flight-training-magazine/wind-shear-max-power

You shouldn't lose air speed (not ground speed) by moving into a different air mass, absent wind shear.

- oldman

[Busher]

Any chance of losing lift when entering a tail wind stream moving at that velocity?  Or is the approach to it such that the tail wind increases slow enough to allow the plane time to accelerate into it?

No Skuzzy. The wind change is never rapid enough or dramatic enough to affect the airplane in that way. But, as Puma mentioned, sometimes transitioning to the core of the Jetstream is smooth as glass and other times, the turbulence can be "biblical".
You guys should know that when airline pilots see a "cool" groundspeed number like that, they smile but it isn't really all that exciting. Everyone of them just wants to do their 80 to 85 hours for the month and go home. And when you're on the last leg home, no speed is fast enough.

[Vraciu]

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2002/july/flight-training-magazine/wind-shear-max-power

You shouldn't lose air speed (not ground speed) by moving into a different air mass, absent wind shear.

- oldman

It depends on the rate of change.   You most definitely CAN lose airspeed when transitioning from one air mass to another. 

[Vraciu]

No Skuzzy. The wind change is never rapid enough or dramatic enough to affect the airplane in that way. But, as Puma mentioned, sometimes transitioning to the core of the Jetstream is smooth as glass and other times, the turbulence can be "biblical".
You guys should know that when airline pilots see a "cool" groundspeed number like that, they smile but it isn't really all that exciting. Everyone of them just wants to do their 80 to 85 hours for the month and go home. And when you're on the last leg home, no speed is fast enough.

But the one thing we can’t stand is seeing that wind on the nose...   Makes me want to reach for a pen and stab myself in the eye.   

[Puma44]

One thing for sure, supersonic level ground speed is beyond way cool!

[Vraciu]

One thing for sure, supersonic level ground speed is beyond way cool!

 

I topped 750 once.  That was a bookmark moment. 

[Puma44]

No Skuzzy. The wind change is never rapid enough or dramatic enough to affect the airplane in that way. But, as Puma mentioned, sometimes transitioning to the core of the Jetstream is smooth as glass and other times, the turbulence can be "biblical".
You guys should know that when airline pilots see a "cool" groundspeed number like that, they smile but it isn't really all that exciting. Everyone of them just wants to do their 80 to 85 hours for the month and go home. And when you're on the last leg home, no speed is fast enough.

Any chance of losing lift when entering a tail wind stream moving at that velocity?  Or is the approach to it such that the tail wind increases slow enough to allow the plane time to accelerate into it?

As Busher said, it’s typically smooth or Biblical. Gain or loss of speed is pretty much an insignificant concern in the big scheme of things.  Now, that last leg home, like he said, is the most important one of the trip.  “Direct” and “Best forward speed” are the two most sought out favorite calls from ATC on that last leg.

[Vulcan]

We have a jet stream that flows from Australia to NZ and is very consistent. It will frequently drop a 4 hour flight down to 3 hours.

[Vulcan]

LOL strayans....

[icemaw]

   You used to be able to simulate these effects in game. We used to use it in KOTH for our alt cap. Very interesting first time you fly into one.