Speed is a difficult topic. It unites and divides us. Pilots and nonpilots obsess over it, always asking how fast a given airplane can travel to whatever destination. We compare cruise speeds, time to climb, mixture-tweaking, and other tricks for squeezing out a few more knots. Sometimes it seems like we all wish we could arrive just a bit sooner.
However, there is also that oft-quoted idea that getting there is half the fun. And since flying one’s own airplane certainly is fun, shouldn’t we be willing to relax and enjoy the trip? After all, a few knots here and there—or even 10 or 20 knots—might not make a huge difference in the duration of your trip. At least that’s how some pilots feel. And what about the cost? Incremental speed increases are usually expensive, from both fuel and aircraft perspectives.
