Speeds for Normal Operation

This is the speed card for the aeroplane: every number you fly a normal circuit on, collected in one place. Each one comes in knots and in MPH, because the airspeed indicator in this aircraft is marked in MPH.

At a glance

• Lift off, normal take-off55 kts / 63 MPH
• Climb, normal take-off65-80 kts / 75-92 MPH
• Best angle of climb, V_X62 kts / 71 MPH
• Best rate of climb, V_Y69 kts / 79 MPH
• Cruise climb70-85 kts / 80-98 MPH
• Top speed at sea level cruise125 kts / 144 MPH
• 75% power at 8000 ft120 kts / 138 MPH
• Best glide, flaps up65 kts / 75 MPH
• Best glide, flaps extended60 kts / 69 MPH
• Landing approach, flaps up69-80 kts / 79-92 MPH
• Landing approach, flaps 10°70 kts / 80 MPH, maximum 110 kts / 126 MPH
• Landing approach, flaps 20°63 kts / 72 MPH, maximum 85 kts / 98 MPH
• Landing approach, flaps 30-40°60 kts / 69 MPH, maximum 85 kts / 97 MPH
• Stall, flaps up, power off51 kts / 57 MPH
• Stall, flaps down, power off43 kts / 49 MPH

Take-off and climb

On a normal take-off the aeroplane lifts off at 55 kts / 63 MPH, and the climb that follows is flown anywhere between 65 and 80 kts / 75 and 92 MPH.

Two climb speeds carry names of their own:

• Best angle of climb, V_X — 62 kts / 71 MPH

• Best rate of climb, V_Y — 69 kts / 79 MPH

For a cruise climb the band is 70-85 kts / 80-98 MPH.

Cruise

Cruising at sea level the top figure is 125 kts / 144 MPH. Set 75% power at 8000 ft and it becomes 120 kts / 138 MPH.

Glide

Flaps up, the best glide figure is 65 kts / 75 MPH. Extend the flaps and it drops to 60 kts / 69 MPH.

Landing approach

Approach speed moves with flap setting, and each setting brings a maximum speed of its own as well:

• Flaps up: 69-80 kts / 79-92 MPH

• Flaps 10°: 70 kts / 80 MPH, maximum 110 kts / 126 MPH

• Flaps 20°: 63 kts / 72 MPH, maximum 85 kts / 98 MPH

• Flaps 30-40°: 60 kts / 69 MPH, maximum 85 kts / 97 MPH

Stall

With the power off, the wing lets go at 51 kts / 57 MPH clean and at 43 kts / 49 MPH with the flaps down. Those eight knots are the whole argument for using flap on a short field.

Check yourself

• What are V_X and V_Y, in knots and in MPH?

• What is the best glide speed with the flaps up, and with the flaps extended?

• What is the maximum speed with flaps 10°, and with flaps 20°?

• What are the power-off stall speeds, flaps up and flaps down?

• At what speed does the aeroplane lift off on a normal take-off?

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