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Type of Airspeeds

  • Calibrated airspeed (CAS): Indicated airspeed corrected for position or instruments errors
  • Equivalent airspeed (EAS): Calibrated airspeed corrected for adiabatic compressible flow errors
  • True airspeed (TAS): This is calibrated airspeed corrected for nonstandard temperature and pressure
    • The speed at which the aircraft is moving through the airmass
  • Mach number: Ratio of the TAS to the speed of sound
  • Ground speed: Actual speed over the ground

V-Speeds​

  • VX: Best angle of climb speed
    • The fastest rate of climb per foot travelled over the ground
  • VY: Best rate of climb speed
    • The fastest rate of climb per second
  • VN0: Maximum structural cruising speed
    • Don't exceed this speed unless in smooth air
  • VA: Design maneuvering speed
    • The maximum speed where the structural design limit can be imposed (via full control deflection or gusts) without causing structural damage
    • The airplane will stall before it will exceed a critical load factor
    • The maneuvering speed increases as weight increase
  • VFE: Maximum flaps extended speed
  • VLE: Maximum landing gear extended speed
    • The maximum speed where that can be flown with the landing gear extended
  • VLO: Maximum landing gear operating speed
    • The maximum speed where the landing gear can be extended or retracted
  • VNE: Never exceed speed
  • VS1: Stall speed in a clean configuration
  • VS0: Stall speed in the landing configuration

Airspeed Indicator Markings​

Airspeed Indicator Markings