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2 Answers

Maneuvering vs Yellow arc

Asked by: 4913 views Aerodynamics

I was flying with my CFI one day and it was very gusty. I was told by my instructor to stay in the yellow arc of the ASI and throttle out a bit. My question is, do we get below the yellow arc or below maneuvering speed in a case like this?

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2 Answers



  1. Wes Beard on Jul 11, 2014

    The pilot’s handbook of aeronautical knowledge correctly defines what maneuvering speed and the yellow arc on the airspeed indicator are.

    Maneuvering speed (VA). The maximum speed at which full, abrupt control movement can be used without overstressing the airframe.

    In other words, the airplane will stall before breaking apart!

    Yellow arc—caution range. Fly within this range only in smooth air, and then, only with caution.

    You should be below maneuvering speed in the very gust conditions you mentioned.

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  2. psequeira on Jul 11, 2014

    Thank you Wes as I was under the wrong understanding all this while

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