One of the reasons people become pilots is we like the idea of going fast. As children with a Radio Flyer wagon at the top of a hill, we learn very early going fast can be fun but also has some associated dangers, usually summarized as “going too fast.” Even though were older, presumably wiser and flying what might be the latest airframe with all the whiz-bang gadgetry in it we can afford, theres 288
Slow Down, You Move Too Fast
One of the reasons people become pilots is we like the idea of going fast. As children with a Radio Flyer wagon at the top of a hill, we learn very early going fast can be fun but also has some associated dangers, usually summarized as "going too fast." Even though were older, presumably wiser and flying what might be the latest airframe with all the whiz-bang gadgetry in it we can afford, theres still such a thing as going too fast. Once the aircraft leaves the surface, using visual cues to determine the speed at which we are moving through the air isnt possible. Even while on the runway, if there is any surface wind, pilots know airspeed can be substantially different than the speed we appear to be moving.
Key Takeaways:
- Exceeding critical airspeeds like VA (maneuvering) or VNE (never exceed) can lead to catastrophic structural failure, primarily due to "flutter," a self-excited oscillation of aircraft components.
- The aircraft's Never Exceed Speed (VNE) is a true airspeed (TAS), meaning that at higher altitudes, the indicated airspeed (IAS) equivalent to VNE is significantly lower than the red line displayed on the airspeed indicator.
- Pilots must understand that safe operating speeds (VA and the effective VNE) are dynamic, changing with aircraft weight and altitude, and should calculate these values for current flight conditions to prevent structural damage, especially at high altitudes or during rapid descents.
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