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V speeds
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In aviation, V-speeds are standard terms

V speeds
Main page used to define airspeeds important or useful to
Contents the operation of all aircraft including fixed-
Featured content wing aircraft, gliders, autogiros, helicopters,
Current events and dirigibles. [1] These speeds are derived
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in most countries by government flight
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inspectors during aircraft type-certification
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testing. Using them is considered a best
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practice to maximize aviation safety, aircraft
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performance or both.[2]
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Contact Wikipedia The actual speeds represented by these
designators are specific to a particular model
Toolbox A single-engine Cessna 150L's airspeed indicator indicating
of aircraft, and are expressed in terms of the its V speeds.
Print/export aircraft's indicated airspeed, so that pilots may
use them directly, without having to apply correction factors.
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In general aviation aircraft, the most commonly used and most safety-critical airspeeds are displayed
Español
as color-coded arcs and lines located on the face of an aircraft's airspeed indicator. The lower ends
of the green arc and the white arc are the stalling speed with wing flaps retracted, and stalling speed
Français
with wing flaps fully extended, respectively. These are the stalling speeds for the aircraft at its
Bahasa Indonesia
maximum weight. [3][4]
Italiano
‫עברית‬ Proper display of V speeds is an airworthiness requirement for type-certificated aircraft in most
Nederlands countries. [5][6]
Polski
Svenska Contents  [hide] 

中文 1 Regulation
2 Regulatory V-speeds
3 Other V-speeds
4 Mach numbers
5 V 1 definitions
6 References

Regulation [edit]

The most common V-speeds are often defined by a particular government's aviation regulations. In
the United States, these are defined in title 14 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations,
known as the Federal Aviation Regulations or FARs. [7] In Canada, the regulatory body, Transport
Canada, defines 26 commonly used V-speeds in their Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). [8]

Regulatory V-speeds [edit]

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V speeds - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

These V-speeds are defined by regulations.

V-speed
Description
designator
V1 Critical engine failure recognition speed. (See V1 definitions below) [7][8][9]
Takeoff safety speed. The speed at which the aircraft may safely become airborne
V2
with one engine inoperative. [7][8][9]
V2 min Minimum takeoff safety speed. [7][8][9]
V3 Flap retraction speed. [8][9]
Steady initial climb speed. The all engines operating take-off climb speed used to the
V4 point where acceleration to flap retraction speed is initiated. Should be attained by a
gross height of 400 feet. [10]
Design maneuvering speed. This is the speed above which it is unwise to make full
VA application of any single flight control (or "pull to the stops") as it may generate a
force greater than the aircraft's structural limitations. [7][8][9][11]
Indicated airspeed at threshold, which is equal to the stall speed VS0 multiplied by 1.3
or stall speed VS1g multiplied by 1.23 in the landing configuration at the maximum
Vat
certificated landing mass. If both VS0 and VS1g are available, the higher resulting Vat
shall be applied. [12]
VB Design speed for maximum gust intensity. [7][8][9]
Design cruising speed, also known as the optimum cruise speed, is the most efficient
VC
speed in terms of distance, speed and fuel usage. [7][8][13][9]
Vcef See V1 ; generally used in documentation of military aircraft performance.[14]
VD Design diving speed. [7][8][9]
VDF Demonstrated flight diving speed. [7][8][9]
VEF The speed at which the Critical engine is assumed to fail during takeoff.[7]
VF Designed flap speed. [7][8][9]
VFC Maximum speed for stability characteristics.[7][9]
VFE Maximum flap extended speed. [7][8][9]
VFTO Final takeoff speed. [7]
VH Maximum speed in level flight at maximum continuous power. [7][8][9]
Maximum landing gear extended speed. This is the maximum speed at which it is
VLE
safe to fly a retractable gear aircraft with the landing gear extended. [7][8][9][15]
Maximum landing gear operating speed. This is the maximum speed at which it is
VLO
safe to extend or retract the landing gear on a retractable gear aircraft. [7][8][9][15]
VLOF Lift-off speed. [7][9]
VMC Minimum control speed with Critical engine inoperative. [7][8][9]
Minimum control speed in the take-off configuration – the minimum calibrated
Vmca airspeed at which the aircraft is directionally controllable in flight with a sudden Critical
engine failure and takeoff power on the operative engine(s).[9]
Minimum control speed on the ground - the minimum airspeed at which the aircraft is
directionally controllable during acceleration along the runway with one engine
Vmcg
inoperative, takeoff power on the operative engine(s), and with nose wheel steering
assumed inoperative. [9][16]

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V speeds - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vmcl Minimum control speed in the landing configuration with one engine inoperative. [9][16]
VMO Maximum operating limit speed. [7][8][9]
VMU Minimum unstick speed. [7][8][9]
VNE Never exceed speed. [7][8][9][17]
VNO Maximum structural cruising speed or maximum speed for normal operations. [7][8][9]
VO Maximum operating maneuvering speed. [18]
Rotation speed. The speed at which the aircraft's nosewheel leaves the
VR
ground. [7][8][9] Also see note on Vref below.
Used instead of VR (in discussions of the takeoff performance of military aircraft) to
Vrot
denote rotation speed in conjunction with the term Vref (refusal speed). [14]
Landing reference speed or threshold crossing speed. [7][8][9]
In discussions of the takeoff performance of military aircraft, the term Vref stands for
refusal speed. Refusal speed is the maximum speed during takeoff from which the
VRef
air vehicle can stop within the available remaining runway length for a specified
altitude, weight, and configuration. [14] Incorrectly, or as an abbreviation, some
documentation refers to Vref and/or Vrot speeds as "V r." [19]

Stall speed or minimum steady flight speed for which the aircraft is still
VS
controllable. [7][8][9]
VS 0 Stall speed or minimum flight speed in landing configuration. [7][8][9]
Stall speed or minimum steady flight speed for which the aircraft is still controllable in
VS 1
a specific configuration. [7][8]
VS R Reference stall speed. [7]
VS R
0
Reference stall speed in landing configuration. [7]
VS R
1
Reference stall speed in a specific configuration. [7]
VSW Speed at which the stall warning will occur. [7]
VTOSS Category A rotorcraft takeoff safety speed. [7][17]
VX Speed that will allow for best angle of climb.[7][8]
VY Speed that will allow for the best rate of climb.[7][8]

Other V-speeds [edit]

Some of these V-speeds are specific to particular types of aircraft and are not defined by regulations.

V-speed
Description
designator
Best endurance speed – the speed that gives the greatest airborne time for fuel
VBE
consumed. [13]
Best power-off glide speed – the speed that provides maximum lift-to-drag ratio and
VBG
thus the greatest gliding distance available.[13]
Best range speed – the speed that gives the greatest range for fuel consumed - often
VBR
identical to Vmd .[20]
VFS Final segment of a departure with one powerplant failed.[21]
[22]

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V speeds - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vimd Minimum drag

Vimp Minimum power [22]
VLLO Maximum landing light operating speed – for aircraft with retractable landing lights.[9]
Vmbe Maximum brake energy speed [23][22]
Vmd Minimum drag (per lift) - often identical to VBR .[20][23] (alternatively same as Vimd[24] )
Vmin Minimum speed for instrument flight (IFR) for helicopters[17]
Vmp Minimum power [23]
Vp Aquaplaning speed [25]
Maximum speed at which whole-aircraft parachute deployment has been
VPD
demonstrated [26]
Vra Rough air speed (turbulence penetration speed). [9]
VSL stall speed in a specific configuration [9][23]
Vs 1g stall speed at 1g load factor
Vsse Safe single engine speed [27]
Vt Threshold speed [23]
Vtocs Take-off climbout speed (helicopters) [17]
Vtos Minimum speed for a positive rate of climb with one engine inoperative[23]
Vt max Max threshold speed [28][23]
Vwo Maximum window or canopy open operating speed [29]
Best angle of climb speed with a single operating engine in a light, twin-engine
VX SE aircraft – the speed that provides the most altitude gain per unit of horizontal distance
following an engine failure. [27]
Best rate of climb speed with a single operating engine in a light, twin-engine aircraft
VY SE – the speed that provides the most altitude gain per unit of time following an engine
failure. [15][27]
VZRC Zero rate of climb speed in a twin-engine aircraft[23]

Mach numbers [edit]

Whenever a limiting speed is expressed in terms of Mach number, it is expressed as an "M speed",
e.g. VMO: Maximum operating limit speed (in knots), MMO: Maximum operating limit Mach. [7][8]

V1 definitions [edit]

V1 is the critical engine failure recognition speed or takeoff decision speed. It is the decision speed
nominated by the pilot which satisfies all safety rules, and above which the takeoff will continue even
if an engine fails.[9] The speed will vary between aircraft types and also due to aircraft weight,
runway length, wing flap setting, engine thrust used, runway surface contamination and other factors.
V1 is defined differently in different jurisdictions:
The US Federal Aviation Administration defines it as: V1 means the maximum speed in the
takeoff at which the pilot must take the first action (e.g., apply brakes, reduce thrust, deploy
speed brakes) to stop the airplane within the accelerate-stop distance. V1 also means the
minimum speed in the takeoff, following a failure of the critical engine at VEF, at which the pilot
can continue the takeoff and achieve the required height above the takeoff surface within the

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V speeds - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
takeoff distance. [7]
Transport Canada defines it as: Critical engine failure recognition speed and adds: This definition
is not restrictive. An operator may adopt any other definition outlined in the aircraft flight manual
(AFM) of TC type-approved aircraft as long as such definition does not compromise operational
safety of the aircraft. [8]
References
1. ^ Love, Michael C. (2005). "2" . Better
Takeoffs & Landings. Mc-Graw Hill. pp. 13–15.
ISBN 0070388059. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
2. ^ Craig, Paul A. (2004). "1" . Multiengine
Flying (3rd ed.). McGraw Hill. pp. 3–6.
ISBN 0071421394. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
3. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (July 2008).
"Title 14: Aeronautics and Space PART 23—
AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: NORMAL,
UTILITY, ACROBATIC, AND COMMUTER
CATEGORY AIRPLANES Subpart G—
Operating Limitations and Information Markings
And Placards, Part 23, §23.1545" . Retrieved
2008-08-01.
4. ^ "Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
- Chapter 7" (PDF). FAA. Retrieved 2010-
01-29.
5. ^ "Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
- Chapter 8" (PDF). FAA. Retrieved 2010-
01-29.
6. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (July 2008).
"Title 14: Aeronautics and Space PART 25—
AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS:
TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES
Subpart G—Operating Limitations and
Information Airplane Flight Manual, Part 25,
§25.1583" . Retrieved 2008-08-01.
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa
ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak
"Electronic Code of
Federal Regulations - Chapter 14.1" . Federal
Aviation Administration. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa
ab ac Transport Canada (March 2008).
"Aeronautical Information Manual GEN - 1.0
GENERAL INFORMATION" . Retrieved 2008-
05-12.
9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa
ab ac ad ae af Peppler, I.L.: From The Ground
Up, page 327. Aviation Publishers Co. Limited,
Ottawa Ontario, Twenty Seventh Revised
Edition, 1996. ISBN 09690054-9-0
10. ^ CAP 698: Civil Aviation Authority JAR-FCL
Examinations: Aeroplane Performance
Manual . Civil Aviation Authority (United
Kingdom). 2006. pp. Section 4–MRJT1 Page 3.
ISBN 0-11790-653-0. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
11. ^ FAA Advisory Circular 23-19A Airframe
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[edit]
see Help:Cite errors/Cite error
references no text
14. ^ a b c MIL-STD-3013A
15. ^ a b c Pilot's Encyclopedia of Aeronautical
Knowledge . Federal Aviation Administration.
2007. pp. G–16. ISBN 978-1-60239-034-8.
Retrieved 2008-05-12.
16. ^ a b Federal Aviation Administration. (February
2009). "Title 14: Aeronautics and Space PART
25—AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS:
TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES
Subpart B—Flight Controllability and
Maneuverability § 25.149 Minimum control
speed." . Retrieved 2009-02-16.
17. ^ a b c d Bell Helicopter Textron: Bell Model
212 Rotorcraft Flight Manual, page II. Bell
Helicopters Textron Publishers, Fort Worth,
Texas, Revision 3, 01 may 1998. BHT-212IFR-
FM-1
18. ^ USA 14CFR §23.1557 Retrieved 2012-01-
06
19. ^ TPUB INTERMEDIATE FLIGHT
PREPARATION WORKBOOK APPENDIX A
20. ^ a b Brandon, John (Octoberl 2008). "Airspeed
and the properties of air" . Retrieved 2009-
04-07. [dead link]
21. ^ airplanedriver.net (undated). "Cessna
Citation" . Retrieved 2009-02-14.
22. ^ a b c Bristow, Gary (undated).
[&source=bl&ots=7LRaUDGgTH&sig=TM2RCG
30U2073SPv34NPc-
cMz28&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=
1&ct=result#PPA7,M1 "Ace the Technical Pilot
Interview" . Retrieved 2009-01-20.
23. ^ a b c d e f g h Croucher, Phil (2007).
"Canadian Professional Pilot Studies" .
Retrieved 2009-01-20.
24. ^ "Transportation Safety Board of Canada -
A05W0109" . Retrieved 2010-03-26.
25. ^ Croucher, Phil (2007). "Canadian
Professional Pilot Studies" . Retrieved 2009-
01-20.
26. ^ SR20 Pilot's Operating Handbook. Cirrus
Design. 2004. p. 8.
27. ^ a b c Flight Sim Aviation (2009). "Aviation
Rules of Thumb - V-Speeds Abbreviations
List" . Retrieved 2009-01-19.
V speeds - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Guide for Certification of Part 23 Airplanes, 28. ^ TheFreeDictionary (2009). "VTMAX" .

Section 48 (p.27) Retrieved 2012-01-06 Retrieved 2009-01-19.
12. ^ PANS-OPS, Volume I, Part I, Section 4, 29. ^ Blue Ridge Air Works (undated). "Cessna 152
Chapter 1, 1.3.3 - 4843H General Info" . Retrieved 2009-02-
13. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text 13.
was provided for refs named aufasnau;

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