On the upper left-hand corner of the C172 instrument panel there is a sign which says Maneuvering Speed 105 KIAS (or similar wording). What, exactly does that mean? Is it a maximum or a minimum speed? R-

>On the upper left-hand corner of the C172 instrument panel>there is a sign which says Maneuvering Speed 105 KIAS (or>similar wording). What, exactly does that mean? Is it a>maximum or a minimum speed? R-It's the maximum indicated speed at which a SINGLE and SUDDEN application of FULL UPWARD elevator does not tear your wings apart. :)Marco

not necessarily sudden, upward or elevator, but i agree on single and full :-)also, the posted speed is for maximum weight. it decreases rather significantly as weight goes down. no passengers and quarter tanks--it becomes 90 knots

This is the most oft quoated definition"One of the most commonly stated definitions of the Maneuvering speed, is the speed at which the pilot can use full control deflections without over-stressing the airplane."Even that.. does not mean.. that one cannot stress the plane out at that speed. My understanding is more like "The Maneuvering speed, is the speed at which the aircraft would rather stall than fall apart. if it gets thrown around in turbulance"MannyEdited to add: This seems more technically right"The Maneuvering Speed is the minimum speed at which the wing can produce lift equal to the design load limit. Below this speed the wing can not produce enough lift to overstress the aircraft, no matter what angle of attack is used."

See it as a safe speed to do your approaches, patterns and so on.. in different weather.I can perform below that, but manufacturers cannot be sued..:-)JohanA LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION, AND A LITTLE MORE ACTION PLEASE.."The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one - but still they come!"Ulla!

Thank you everyone. R-

You may find it helpful to review the following:"Load Factors and Stalling Speeds" (p. 3-28ff) in the "Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge" (http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/pilot_handbook/)You may also be interested in "The Myth of Maneuvering Speed," a column by J. Mac McClellan in Flying magazine (http://www.flyingmag.com/article.asp?section_id=12&article_id=527&page_number=1) and "AA587: The Perils of Flying by the Book" also at Flying magazine (http://www.flyingmag.com/article.asp?section_id=12&article_id=545&page_number=1)N.B.: The definition of "design maneuvering speed" now used by the FAA is "The design maneuvering speed is the maximum speed at which the airplane can be stalled or full available aerodynamic control will not exceed the airplane