In aviation maintenance, which unit is most commonly used for speed?

Knots is the most commonly used unit for measuring speed in aviation. A knot is equivalent to one nautical mile per hour, and this measurement is standardized internationally for aviation and maritime use. Knots provide a consistent way of expressing speeds, particularly because they relate directly to the nautical mile, which is based on the circumference of the Earth. This makes knots particularly useful for navigation at sea and in the air.

In aviation, where distances are often measured in nautical miles, using knots allows for more straightforward calculations regarding flight time and distance. Additionally, air traffic control and flight operations worldwide utilize knots in communication to maintain a standardized approach, ensuring clarity and safety in aviation practices. Other units such as miles per hour or kilometers per hour are more common in automotive contexts, while feet per second is generally used for specific applications in physics or engineering rather than for overall speed measurements in aviation.