Airfoil Indicated Airspeed True Airspeed 
Pilot Institute
JULY 11, 2025
Why don’t they use Indicated Airspeed just like the pilots who fly slower aircraft? Key Takeaways Mach number is a dimensionless ratio of true airspeed to local speed of sound. Mach number is simply a ratio of your true airspeed to the local speed of sound. Here’s why. What Is Mach Number?
Professional Pilot
JULY 7, 2025
Aeronautical engineers improve continually on that imbalance with better airfoils and powerplants along with aircraft designs and materials to reduce weight and drag. In addition, decreased air density also decreases ram air pressure, meaning a indicated airspeed from a pressure-based airspeed indicator will read lower than the true airspeed.
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