True airspeed accounts for changes in what atmospheric factors?

True airspeed is a crucial concept in aviation as it refers to the actual speed of an aircraft relative to the surrounding air mass. It provides pilots with the accurate performance information needed for safe and effective flight. The correct answer focuses on temperature and atmospheric pressure because these two factors directly influence air density, which in turn affects true airspeed.

As altitude increases, the temperature and atmospheric pressure decrease, which results in a lower air density. When calculating true airspeed, it is necessary to take into account the actual conditions of temperature and pressure at a given altitude in order to convert indicated airspeed (the speed shown on the airspeed indicator) to true airspeed. This conversion is essential for performance calculations, such as estimating required takeoff distances or fuel efficiency.

Other factors, while important for different reasons, do not have the same direct impact on the calculation of true airspeed. Wind speed and direction affect groundspeed but not true airspeed itself. Humidity can influence overall air density but is not the primary factor when defining true airspeed. Lastly, cloud cover and visibility relate more to weather conditions than to the calculation of airspeed.

Thus, understanding the implications of temperature and atmospheric pressure is essential for pilots to accurately assess their true airspeed and make