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Old 10-15-2009 | 10:43 AM
  #24  
NoyGonnaDoIt
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Originally Posted by ryan1234
So what if the aircraft moves into another category. For example, light cessna moves from normal into utility?
Huh?

Maneuvering speed is a structural-related limitation. I'm not sure that it does change with the aircraft's category. The general rule that the max gross weight number is always listed (if there's only one number, it's for max gross). Listing others is pretty much optional, although airplanes that have a wider range of possible weights will tend to list more since Va for 6-seat airplane with lots of fuel and baggage capacity will be significantly lower when someone flies it solo with only a headset and a kneeboard with only 1 hour of fuel left. So I guess that if utility category means less max gross, a manufacturer might well opt to list a Va for max weight when operating in that category.

btw, I don't think anyone mentioned it, but the formula for calculating maneuvering speed (or any load limited V-speed for that matter) at any weight is

V1=V2 * Sq Root (W1/W2)

Where:
V1=Airspeed being calculated
V2=Published airspeed for a given weight
W1=Weight for which airspeed is to be determined
W2=Gross weight for which airspeed is published
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