C172M - Speeds and Terms

Vr (Rotation Speed) / Velocidad de rotación

55 KIAS. The speed to lift the nose wheel during takeoff.

Vx (Best Angle of Climb) / Mejor ángulo de ascenso

64 KIAS (at sea level). Delivers the greatest gain in altitude over a given horizontal distance. Used to clear obstacles.

Vy (Best Rate of Climb) / Mejor régimen de ascenso

78 KIAS (at sea level). Delivers the greatest gain in altitude over a given amount of time. Used to reach cruising altitude quickly.

Va (Maneuvering Speed) / Velocidad de maniobra

97 KIAS (at 2300 lbs). Maximum speed for full, abrupt control movements without causing structural damage.

Vfe (Max Flap Extended Speed) / Velocidad máxima con flaps extendidos

85 KIAS. The maximum speed permissible with wing flaps extended.

Vg (Best Glide Speed) / Mejor velocidad de planeo

65 KIAS (at 2300 lbs). The speed that allows the maximum horizontal distance for every foot of altitude lost (used during engine failure).

Vno (Max Structural Cruising Speed) / Velocidad máxima estructural de crucero

128 KIAS. Do not exceed this speed except in smooth air, and then only with caution.

Vne (Never Exceed Speed) / Velocidad de nunca exceder

160 KIAS. The absolute speed limit of the aircraft. Do not exceed in any operation.

Maximum Takeoff and Landing Weight / Peso máximo de despegue y aterrizaje

2300 lbs (Normal Category). The maximum approved weight for starting the takeoff roll or landing.

Usable Fuel / Combustible utilizable

38 Gallons (Standard Tanks). The fuel safely available for flight. The remaining 4 gallons are unusable to trap contaminants and prevent air ingestion.

Rated Horsepower (BHP) / Potencia nominal

150 BHP at 2700 RPM. The maximum power the engine is certified to produce.

Vs (Stall Speed - Power Off, Flaps Up) / Velocidad de pérdida sin motor y con flaps arriba

50 KCAS (~47 KIAS). The minimum steady flight speed at which the airplane is controllable in a clean configuration.

Vso (Stall Speed - Power Off, Flaps Down) / Velocidad de pérdida en configuración de aterrizaje

44 KCAS (~41 KIAS). The minimum steady flight speed at which the airplane is controllable in the landing configuration.

Max Demonstrated Crosswind Velocity / Velocidad máxima demostrada de viento cruzado

15 knots. The highest crosswind component successfully demonstrated during official certification.

KIAS (Knots Indicated Airspeed) / Nudos de velocidad aérea indicada

The speed read directly off the airspeed indicator, uncorrected for instrument or atmospheric errors.

Why are Vx and Vy different?

Vx gets you highest in the shortest DISTANCE (steep climb for obstacles). Vy gets you highest in the shortest TIME (fastest overall climb rate).

Why are some V-speeds higher than the maximum engine speed?

The engine's maximum speed applies to straight-and-level flight. Higher V-speeds (like Vne) are structural limits that can be reached when gravity accelerates the plane during a dive.

Standard Empty Weight / Peso vacío estándar

1387 lbs (Skyhawk). The weight of a standard airplane including unusable fuel, full operating fluids, and full engine oil.

Maximum Useful Load / Carga útil máxima

913 lbs (Normal Category). The difference between takeoff weight and the basic empty weight.

Baggage Allowance / Límite de equipaje

120 lbs. The maximum combined weight capacity for baggage areas 1 and 2.

Oil Capacity / Capacidad de aceite

8 Quarts in the sump (9 quarts total system). Do not operate on less than 6 quarts.

Service Ceiling / Techo de servicio

13,100 FT. The maximum usable altitude for the aircraft.

Engine Model / Modelo del motor

Avco Lycoming O-320-E2D. A normally-aspirated, direct-drive, air-cooled, horizontally-opposed, 4-cylinder engine.

Fuel Grade / Grado de combustible

80/87 Minimum Grade Aviation Fuel (Red). 100/130 Low Lead AVGAS (Green) is an approved alternate.

Maximum Oil Temperature / Temperatura máxima del aceite

118°C (245°F). The red line limit for the engine oil.

Minimum Oil Pressure / Presión mínima de aceite

25 psi. The red line minimum idling pressure.

KCAS (Knots Calibrated Airspeed) / Nudos de velocidad calibrada

Indicated airspeed corrected for position and instrument error.

KTAS (Knots True Airspeed) / Nudos de velocidad verdadera

KCAS corrected for altitude and temperature; the airspeed relative to undisturbed air.

Center of Gravity (CG) / Centro de gravedad

The point at which an airplane, or equipment, would balance if suspended.

Reference Datum / Datum de referencia

An imaginary vertical plane from which all horizontal distances are measured for balance purposes (front face of firewall on the 172M).

Load Factor Limits (Flaps Up) / Límites del factor de carga

+3.8g, -1.52g (Normal Category). The maximum structural load forces the airplane can withstand.