The Sinking Speed of Aeroplanes: A Swedish Suggestion of an Alternative to Horsepower Required for Use in Performance Calculations Available to Purchase

THE sinking speed of an, aeroplane is defined as the vertical component of the forward velocity in gliding flight. It is easy to show that the sinking speed so defined is included in the general equation of the rate of climb with engine on, the rate of climb being the difference between the “rising speed,” corresponding with the horsepower available, and the sinking speed, which in turn corresponds with the horse‐power required. Thus the sinking speed always plays an important rôle in all conditions of flight and it is the author's opinion that, especially in performance calculations, the use of the quantities rising an,d sinking speed are preferable to the more commonly used power‐quantities.