As bank angle is applied to the aircraft in level flight, the VNE speed becomes what?

As bank angle is applied to the aircraft in level flight, the VNE speed becomes what?

• A. INCREASED
• B. REDUCED
• C. UNCHANGED
• D. VARIES

Answer: (B)

Banking in level flight increases the load on the airframe. As you roll into a bank, you must generate more lift to hold the same altitude, so the load factor rises (n = 1 / cos(bank angle)). With a higher load factor, the structure experiences more stress at a given airspeed. VNE is set to prevent exceeding the airframe’s maximum allowable load and structural limits, so as the bank angle increases, the speed we can safely fly without risking those limits must be reduced. In other words, the never-exceed speed goes down in a banked turn.

Banking in level flight increases the load on the airframe. As you roll into a bank, you must generate more lift to hold the same altitude, so the load factor rises (n = 1 / cos(bank angle)). With a higher load factor, the structure experiences more stress at a given airspeed. VNE is set to prevent exceeding the airframe’s maximum allowable load and structural limits, so as the bank angle increases, the speed we can safely fly without risking those limits must be reduced. In other words, the never-exceed speed goes down in a banked turn.