Normal Operating Speeds

Thirteen speeds cover every normal phase of flight, and one condition covers all of them: except where a note says otherwise, 1670 pounds is the weight behind them, and any lighter aeroplane may use them as they stand. That last clause is what makes the list usable without a weight calculation on every flight.

At a glance

• Normal climb out after takeoff65 to 75 KIAS
• Short field takeoff, flaps 10 degrees, speed at 50 feet54 KIAS
• Normal climb, flaps up70 to 80 KIAS
• Best rate of climb (at sea level)67 KIAS
• Best rate of climb (at 10,000 feet)61 KIAS
• Best angle of climb, sea level through 10,000 feet55 KIAS
• Normal approach, flaps up60 to 70 KIAS
• Normal approach, flaps 30 degrees55 to 65 KIAS
• Short field approach, flaps 30 degrees54 KIAS
• Balked landing, maximum power, flaps 20 degrees55 KIAS
• Maximum recommended turbulent air penetration, 1670 lbs104 KIAS
• Maximum recommended turbulent air penetration, 1500 lbs98 KIAS
• Maximum recommended turbulent air penetration, 1350 lbs93 KIAS
• Maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity12 knots

Climb speeds

The climb figures and how they behave with altitude

• Normal climb out after takeoff: 65 to 75 KIAS.

• Normal climb, flaps up: 70 to 80 KIAS.

• Best rate of climb (at sea level): 67 KIAS.

• Best rate of climb (at 10,000 feet): 61 KIAS.

• Best angle of climb, sea level through 10,000 feet: 55 KIAS.

Best rate of climb falls with altitude — six knots between sea level and ten thousand feet. Best angle of climb does not: a single figure, 55 KIAS, is quoted for the whole band from sea level through 10,000 feet. That asymmetry is the detail to memorize, because it is easy to assume both speeds behave the same way.

Approach and landing speeds

Four approach figures

• Normal approach, flaps up: 60 to 70 KIAS.

• Normal approach, flaps 30 degrees: 55 to 65 KIAS.

• Short field approach, flaps 30 degrees: 54 KIAS.

• Balked landing, maximum power, flaps 20 degrees: 55 KIAS.

The normal approach speeds are ranges; the short field and balked landing speeds are single figures. A range is a band you fly within according to conditions; a single figure is a target you hold.

Note that the short field takeoff speed at 50 feet and the short field approach speed are the same number, 54 KIAS, both with the flaps set — 10 degrees for the takeoff and 30 degrees for the approach.

Turbulence and crosswind

Maximum recommended turbulent air penetration speed is 104 KIAS at 1670 pounds, 98 KIAS at 1500 pounds and 93 KIAS at 1350 pounds — the same three figures the limitations chapter gives as manoeuvring speed.

The maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity is 12 knots.

Check yourself

• What weight are these speeds based on, and at what other weights may they be used?

• How does best rate of climb change between sea level and 10,000 feet, and how does best angle of climb change?

• Which two procedures both use 54 KIAS, and at what flap setting is each flown?

• State the turbulent air penetration speed at 1500 pounds.

• What is the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity?

Study aid — always fly your aircraft's current AFM/POH.