In typical small airplane operations, the stall speed at maximum landing weight is referred to as?

The stall speed at maximum landing weight in small airplane operations is referred to as Vso, which stands for the stall speed in the landing configuration. This speed is crucial for pilots because it indicates the minimum speed at which an aircraft can maintain controlled flight while in its landing configuration, typically with flaps extended. Recognizing Vso helps ensure that pilots maintain adequate airspeed to avoid stalling during crucial phases of flight such as approach and landing.

Understanding this concept is vital for safe aviation practices, as flying below this speed during descent can lead to a loss of control. The importance of knowing Vso is emphasized particularly during landing when pilots must be cautious of their airspeed to ensure a safe touch down. Other terms, such as Vno, Vne, and Vfe, refer to different flight parameters that are essential, but they do not specifically describe the stall speed during landing. Vno represents the maximum structural cruising speed, Vne is the never-exceed speed, and Vfe is the maximum flap extended speed, none of which pertain to stall characteristics during landing.