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Do These Airspeeds Look Correct?

Sunriver Ken

Sunriver Ken

Well Known Member
Hi guys and gals,

I purchased a completed RV-9A and would like confirmation that the various speeds I was given by the builder are correct or at least close. Please look these over and let me know those you think are incorrect.

Vx (best rate) = 82 KIAS
Vy (best angle) = 77 KIAS
BEST GLIDE = 82 KIAS
Va (Maneuvering or Turbulent flight = 102KIAS
Vso (with flaps) = 44KIAS
Vs1 (clean) = 51 KIAS
Vfe (flaps) = 90KIAS
Vne (Never Exceed) = 182KTAS @ cruise
Vno (Max structural or maneuvering) = 117KIAS
 
From the manual in statute MPH

Hi Ken,

This is extracted from the build manual.

RV-9/9A AIRSPEED INDICATOR All speeds in statute MPH

Bottom of White Arc (approximate indicated stall speed with full flaps)
49
Top of White Arc(maximum speed with full flaps)
90
Bottom of Green Arc (approximate indicated stall speed without flaps)
56
Blue Line (Maneuvering speed. Maximum speed at which full control can be applied. Speed at which full elevator
control would impose loads exceeding limits)
118
Yellow Arc (caution range, to be flown only in calm or light turbulence conditions)
180-190
Red Line (never exceed speed)
210

Hope this helps
 
Last edited:
MPH

I think Daniel's numbers are in MPH

Ahhhh - didn't notice the title of your post...
 
Last edited:
Just to pick lint ...

My build manual numbers agree with Daniels, with the exception of Vfe, where mine says 86 mph, not 90. (4mph ... big deal. :D)
 
Sunriver Ken said:
Vx (best rate) = 82 KIAS
Vy (best angle) = 77 KIAS
BEST GLIDE = 82 KIAS
Click to expand...

Vx should be slower than Vy.
Vglide should be close to Vy, closer than they are here. Perhaps Vx and Vy were switched by accident?

As stated before the rest of the numbers come out of the builder's manual.
 
VNE Never Exceed Speed 182 KTS
VNO Max Structural Cruise Speed 157 KTS
VA Maneuvering Speed 103 KTS
VFE Maximum Flap Extended Speed 78 KTS, 87 KTS/15?
VY Best Rate of Climb 85 KTS
VX Best Angle of Climb 72 KTS
VS Stall Speed Clean 49 KTS
VSO Stall Speed Landing Configuration 43 KTS
VG Best Glide Speed 82 KTS
 
In MPH

vlittle said:
VNE Never Exceed Speed 182 KTS
VNO Max Structural Cruise Speed 157 KTS
VA Maneuvering Speed 103 KTS
VFE Maximum Flap Extended Speed 78 KTS, 87 KTS/15°
VY Best Rate of Climb 85 KTS
VX Best Angle of Climb 72 KTS
VS Stall Speed Clean 49 KTS
VSO Stall Speed Landing Configuration 43 KTS
VG Best Glide Speed 82 KTS
Click to expand...

Converted to MPH:
VNE Never Exceed Speed 210 MPH
VNO Max Structural Cruise Speed 180 MPH
VA Maneuvering Speed 120 MPH
VFE Maximum Flap Extended Speed 90 MPH, 100 MPH/15°
VY Best Rate of Climb 98 MPH
VX Best Angle of Climb 83 MPH
VS Stall Speed Clean 56 MPH
VSO Stall Speed Landing Configuration 49 MPH
VG Best Glide Speed 94 MPH
 
what is most useful glide # to memorize?

N941WR said:
Converted to MPH:
VNE Never Exceed Speed 210 MPH
VNO Max Structural Cruise Speed 180 MPH
VA Maneuvering Speed 120 MPH
VFE Maximum Flap Extended Speed 90 MPH, 100 MPH/15?
VY Best Rate of Climb 98 MPH
VX Best Angle of Climb 83 MPH
VS Stall Speed Clean 56 MPH
VSO Stall Speed Landing Configuration 49 MPH
VG Best Glide Speed 94 MPH
Click to expand...

the CAFE report, for instance, IIRC, shows best glide angle,( 85 kts?) and a lower minimum sink speed.( 75 kts?)
Can anyone tell me where and why you'd want to come down slower, ( more time to 'touchdown') rather than glide further?
 
flyboy1963 said:
the CAFE report, for instance, IIRC, shows best glide angle,( 85 kts?) and a lower minimum sink speed.( 75 kts?)
Can anyone tell me where and why you'd want to come down slower, ( more time to 'touchdown') rather than glide further?
Click to expand...

Dark night conditions or rough terrain (or water) - gives you more time to diagnose and solve an engine problem or get an SOS out with a good location.
 
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