On Thu, 08 Jan 2004 21:52:48 GMT, Orval Fairbairn
wrote:

In article ,
(Doug) wrote:

Kershner's "The Advanced Pilot's Flight Manual" has the following
definition for Va.

Va - The maneuvering speed. This is the maxiumu speed at a particular
weight at which the controls may be fully deflected without
overstressing the airplane.

Now, Va is commonly taught as turbulent air penetration speed. But
nowhere in the definition does it say that Va will protect the
airframe from damage due to turbulence.

Does slowing down even slower than Va protect the airframe from even
more severe turbulence? Or is Va the best speed for turbulence
penetration? Or is Va just used as a turbulence air penetration speed
becauase of tradition or some other non-technically correct reason.

Va is the MAXIMUM speed (at max gross weight) at which the aircraft can
be stalled without exceeding its max designed load factor. The lower
the gross weight, the lower the effective Va (due to engine mounts, etc.)

Even then there is no gurantee there will be no damage from a vertical
gust exceeding 30 fps, or that is the figure used for Bonanzas. Va,
30 fps = a 4 to a 4 1/2 G load which is the load limit for the utility
category. A vertical gust greater than 30 fps at Va would give a
greater load.

If need be I can quote/copy the paragraph right out of the ABS Pilot
Proficency Training Manual.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com