Eric Greenwell wrote:
Shawn wrote:

toad wrote:

This is the basic method to set maneuvering speed:

The Maneuvering Speed is the minimum speed at which the wing can
produce lift equal to the design load limit. (in positive G's) Below
this speed the wing can not produce enough lift to overstress the
aircraft, no matter what angle of attack is used.


Maneuvering speed assumes max gross weight. If you're flying lighter
the wing can make enough lift to break.


So, for gliders, the flight manual figure only applies if you are
carrying full water ballast, and you are supposed to guess at what is
when the glider is unballasted?

No, just calculate it by taking the square root of the mass/max gross
and multiply that by Va, in the cockpit, in rotor, while dropping below
glide to the nearest safe field.
Simple!

The physics argument for Va decreasing with lower mass makes sense.
However, the legal argument for what maneuvering speed should be used
would support the notion of a constant Va at all weights.

Shawn