Which of the following is a characteristic of indicated airspeed (IAS)?

Indicated airspeed (IAS) refers to the speed displayed on an aircraft’s airspeed indicator, which is derived from the measurement of dynamic pressure. A key characteristic of IAS is that it is not corrected for the effects of altitude or temperature. Instead, IAS is directly related to the performance of the aircraft and the aerodynamic forces acting on it.

It is essential to understand that because IAS does not account for temperature or altitude, it provides a measure of an aircraft’s performance in its current environmental conditions rather than its actual speed through the air (true airspeed). This makes IAS particularly valuable for pilots when assessing aerodynamic performance, as it allows them to determine stall speeds and maneuvering capabilities specific to the conditions they are flying in.

Misinterpretations can arise with other measures related to airspeed, such as true airspeed and groundspeed, which further illustrates the importance of knowing what IAS represents in flight operations. Indicated airspeed is a critical concept in aviation, especially for making safe and informed flight decisions.