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V Speeds Calculator

Work out v speeds instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About V Speeds Calculator

Many V-speeds are fixed multiples of stall speed by certification rule or long-standing convention: Vref is 1.3 Vso, rotation is about 1.1 Vs1, best angle of climb near 1.2 Vs1, and normal operating limit Vno typically sits around 0.87 Vne. These are estimates for cross-checking, not substitutes for the flight manual.

Formula

V-speed relationships

Vref = 1.3 x Vso; Vr = 1.1 x Vs1; Vx = 1.2 x Vs1; Vno = 0.87 x Vne

Worked example

With the default values below, V Speeds Calculator returns Approach speed Vref (1.3 Vso) of 62.40. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

1g stall speed, flaps up (Vs1)
55 kt
Stall speed, landing configuration (Vso)
48 kt
Never exceed speed (Vne)
165 kt

Results

Approach speed Vref (1.3 Vso)
62.40 kt
Rotation speed (1.1 Vs1)
60.50 kt
Best angle climb estimate (1.2 Vs1)
66.00 kt
Structural cruise estimate (0.87 Vne)
143.60 kt

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2V-speed relationships
  3. 3Approach speed Vref (1.3 Vso)= 62.40 kt
  4. 4Rotation speed (1.1 Vs1)= 60.50 kt
  5. 5Best angle climb estimate (1.2 Vs1)= 66.00 kt
  6. 6Structural cruise estimate (0.87 Vne)= 143.60 kt

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Aviation results are planning estimates only. Always verify take-off, landing, fuel, weight and balance figures against the certified Aircraft Flight Manual, current performance charts and applicable aviation regulations before flight.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Aviation results are planning estimates only. Always verify take-off, landing, fuel, weight and balance figures against the certified Aircraft Flight Manual, current performance charts and applicable aviation regulations before flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these ratios exact?

Vref = 1.3 Vso is a certification requirement. The others are conventions that vary between types, so the AFM figures always take precedence.

Do V-speeds change with weight?

The stall-related ones do, scaling with the square root of weight. Vne and Vno are structural and fixed as indicated airspeeds.

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