Rule of thumb approach speeds

[Flyer10 31]

Why is it nuts? Its a simulator! and you can be a test pilot it you want too:-) Granted 1.23 times the stall speed for an airliner is accurate at least I believe for a Boeing. You can try it in different configuration and should find the stall speed is higher the cleaner the aircraft. In fact all airliner manufacturers as well as calculating the theoretical stall speed of an aircraft will practically test it by stalling the aircraft at altitude. I have meet an talked about that very procedure with a real Q400 test pilot:-)

[ESzczesniak 128]

Or you can look up Vref in performance tables.  I'm sure the exact number varies by aircraft type, but as noted Vref = 1.3*Vs generally speaking.  Vref is readily available in the manuals for the Dash 8 and for most other high end add-ons.

[znightflyer 0]

As far as the 1.23 vs 1.3, it is in the certification of the aircraft under FAR part 25.  If I recall it 1.23 is used if the aircraft has a stall pusher.

 

In the real world, Vref is a factor of A/C wt, A/P temp and A/P altitude.  Then modified with flap selection and wind factors.  Vref corrected by wind normally is never greater than Vref+20.