Airspeed Limitations and ASI Markings

Four airspeed limits govern this aircraft, and the airspeed indicator paints them onto the dial as coloured bands so you can fly to them without recalling a single number. Learn the figures and the bands together — each band edge is one of the limits.

At a glance

• V_NE, never exceed143 KIAS (139 KCAS)
• V_NO, maximum structural cruising111 KIAS (110 KCAS)
• V_A design / V_O operating manoeuvring98 KIAS (97 KCAS)
• V_FE, maximum flaps extended70 KIAS (71 KCAS)
• White arc40 – 70 KIAS
• Green arc49 – 111 KIAS
• Yellow arc111 – 143 KIAS
• Red line143 KIAS

The four airspeed limits

• V_NE — never exceed speed, 143 KIAS (139 KCAS). Not to be exceeded in any operation.

• V_NO — maximum structural cruising speed, 111 KIAS (110 KCAS). Not to be exceeded except in smooth air, and then only with caution.

• V_A and V_O — 98 KIAS (97 KCAS). Design manoeuvring speed and operating manoeuvring speed share a single row at this figure. Above it, make no full or abrupt control movement: under certain conditions full control movement may overstress the aircraft.

• V_FE — maximum flaps extended speed, 70 KIAS (71 KCAS). Not to be exceeded for the indicated flaps setting.

What the bands on the dial mean

• White arc, 40 – 70 KIAS — positive flap operating range. Its lower limit is V_S0 at the specified maximum weight; its upper limit is the maximum speed permissible with landing flaps extension.

• Green arc, 49 – 111 KIAS — normal operating range. Its lower limit is V_S1, taken at the specified maximum weight with the c.g. fully forward and the flaps retracted; its upper limit is V_NO.

• Yellow arc, 111 – 143 KIAS. Manoeuvre here only with caution, and only when the air is smooth.

• Red line, 143 KIAS — the maximum speed for all operations.

Figure: Airspeed indicator markings (redrawn).

Notice where the bands overlap. Between 49 and 70 KIAS you are inside both the white and the green arc, and the yellow arc begins exactly where the green one ends.

Check yourself

• What is V_NE, and under what conditions may it be exceeded?

• What speed do V_A and V_O share, and what must you not do above it?

• What defines the lower limit of the white arc, and what defines its upper limit?

• Which speed forms the upper limit of the green arc?

• What must you observe when manoeuvring in the yellow arc?

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