Aircraft Speed Limits Explained

Richie Lengel

Friday, October 14, 2016 at 07:43 PM ET

Verified

Do you know the specifics on aircraft speed limits? Alamy

Key Takeaways:

Aircraft operating below 10,000 feet MSL are generally restricted to a maximum speed of 250 knots indicated airspeed (kias), with further restrictions to 200 kias in specific airspaces like beneath Class B, in VFR corridors, or near Class C/D airports.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) cannot authorize pilots to violate regulatory speed limits, such as the 250 kias restriction below 10,000 feet MSL, and pilots have the responsibility to refuse any assigned speed adjustment they deem unsafe or illegal.
An approach clearance typically cancels any previously assigned speed adjustments, requiring pilots to manage their own speed for the approach unless specific adjustments are subsequently issued.
Maximum holding pattern speeds are dependent on altitude, ranging from 200 kias at 6,000 feet MSL and below, to 265 kias at 14,001 feet MSL and above.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Speed Limits:

In the United States — Mach 1
10,000 feet msl or above — Unrestricted (but not more than Mach 1)
Below 10,000 feet msl — 250 kias
Class B airspace — Unrestricted at or above 10,000 feet msl, 250 kias below 10,000 feet msl
Beneath Class B or in VFR corridor through Class B — 200 kias
Procedure turn — 200 kias
Class C or D airspace (at or below 2,500 feet agl within 4 nm of the primary airport) — 200 kias (unless a higher speed is specifically approved by ATC)
Class E or G airport traffic pattern — 200 kias (recommended)

91.117(d) — If the minimum safe airspeed for any particular operation is greater than the maximum speed prescribed in this section, the aircraft may be operated at that minimum speed. Note: There is no requirement to advise ATC when exceeding a speed for this reason.