Is there a standard term for "3D groundspeed"? Does the term &quot;groundspeed&quot; always refer only to the magnitude of the horizontal component of an aircraft's velocity vector with respect to the earth, or does it sometimes include the contribution from the vertical component of the aircraft's motion?
If the latter, what are some examples (from outside sources) of the terminology being used this way?
If the former, is there a standard term for the magnitude of the aircraft's full three-dimensional velocity vector with respect to the earth, including the contribution from the vertical component of the aircraft's
motion?
The former is correct; an F-16 climing straight up has 0 groundspeed.
&quot;Inertial velocity&quot; would accurately describe the 3D motion you're describing.