What is V2?

What is V2?

• A. Takeoff safety speed to reach before 35 ft with one engine inoperative
• B. Approach speed
• C. Best rate of climb speed
• D. Landing speed

Answer: (A)

V2 is the takeoff safety speed—the minimum speed at which the airplane must be able to continue the takeoff with one engine inoperative and still reach 35 feet above the runway with a positive climb. This provides the required obstacle clearance and controllability if an engine fails during the initial takeoff phase. It’s not approach speed, not the best rate of climb speed, and not landing speed; those pertain to landing or all-engine climb performance, whereas V2 specifically guarantees safe continued takeoff with an engine out.

V2 is the takeoff safety speed—the minimum speed at which the airplane must be able to continue the takeoff with one engine inoperative and still reach 35 feet above the runway with a positive climb. This provides the required obstacle clearance and controllability if an engine fails during the initial takeoff phase. It’s not approach speed, not the best rate of climb speed, and not landing speed; those pertain to landing or all-engine climb performance, whereas V2 specifically guarantees safe continued takeoff with an engine out.