Let us not forget headwind / tailwind. If headwind is equal to LRC TAS, G/S will be zero and you will go nowhere. In this case, a higher speed would be an advantage, because at least you will be proceeding. In a high tailwind, you can afford to reduce speed to be in the tailwind for a longer period of time. So, the wind component might not be quite as much as TAS, but the principle still applies. Fly faster in a headwind & slower in a tailwind for max range.
Last edited by autoflight; 10th March 2005 at 07:25.