Comment by vdqtp3
3 days ago
> the safe manoeuverable speed increases with weight
The reason this is true is because at a higher weight, you'll stall at max deflection before you can put enough stress on the airframe to be a problem. That is to say, at a given speed a heavier airplane will fall out of the air [hyperbole, it will merely stall - significantly reduced lift] before it can rip the wings/elevator off [hyperbole - damage the airframe]. That makes it questionable whether heavier is safer - just changes the failure mode.
> That is to say, at a given speed a heavier airplane will fall out of the air [hyperbole, it will merely stall - significantly reduced lift] before it can rip the wings/elevator off [hyperbole - damage the airframe]
Turbulence, especially generated by thunderstorms, or close to it.
Maneuvering speed is Va which is about max deflection on a single control surface, I think you're thinking of Vno if you're referring to turbulence
Indeed I was thinking of Vno. I just had a brain fart when I said manoeuvering speed. I meant to say maximum structural cruising speed.