Definition
Acceleration in which the velocity of an object changes by equal amounts in equal periods of time. The rate of change of velocity is constant, meaning the object speeds up (or slows down) at a steady, unchanging rate.
Plain English
Speed increasing or decreasing at a steady rate — the same amount of change every second. Not steady speed, but steady change in speed.
Context Anchor
Seen in basic flight physics, performance explanations, and motion problems that describe how speed changes over time.
Derivation
From Latin uniformis, meaning 'having one form,' and accelerare, 'to hasten' (from ad-, 'toward,' and celer, 'swift'). Together: speed change that keeps one consistent form — the same rate throughout.
Why Pilots Care
Uniform acceleration is a simplified way to understand motion during events such as a takeoff roll or landing rollout. Real aircraft acceleration may vary, but the idea helps pilots understand how speed, time, and distance relate.
Analogy
If a car gains exactly 5 miles per hour every second, its acceleration is uniform. The speed is changing, but the amount of change is steady.
Grounding Statement
An aircraft on its takeoff roll that gains 5 knots every second is undergoing uniform acceleration — the speed keeps changing, but the rate of that change stays the same.
Intuition Check
Uniform does not mean “not moving” or “all at one speed.” Here it means the change in velocity is steady over time.
Example Sentence 1
An object in free fall near the Earth's surface experiences uniform acceleration of about 32 feet per second per second, ignoring air resistance.
Example Sentence 2
With constant thrust and no wind, the trainer experienced uniform acceleration from the start of the takeoff roll.