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How to Calculate the VNE on Ultra Light Aircraft

Ultralight aircraft fly "under the radar" so to speak on many of the FAA regulations. One area they are not excused from are the necessary airspeed indicators and ratings. This is so the pilots have quick access to the needed airspeed indicators for safe flight of the particular aircraft. One such demarcation is the aircraft's Vne which is the "Never Exceed" speed. This calculation is gained via the aircraft's airspeed indicator. The aircraft's Vne is determined by the manufacturer of the plane and by the FAA testers. For the pilot and user to calculate the Vne, it is a simple matter of learning the airspeed indicator colors.

FAA Approved Air Speed Indicator

Instructions

- 1
  Sit in the ultralight and locate the gauge and instrument panel. This is typically in front of the pilot's stick or yoke. Look for the round dial indicating Airspeed, this is the air speed indicator. In addition to being the gauge used to indicate air speed, it is also a calculator of sorts. It has marks indicating the aircrafts levels of safe operation, including the Vne.
- 2
  Read the outer edge of the dial. Notice there are several colors around the edge of the dial, a green, white, yellow and red section on the curve of the dial. These colors represent the different operation speeds for the safe operation of the aircraft. For example, operations within the green marked speeds are considered a safe operating speed without a stall, in this case represented by Vso.
- 3
  Go to the first number where the red color starts along the edge of the dial. This is the aircraft's Vne, or speed to never exceed. For example, if the aircraft's dial has the red starting at 110knots, the Vne is not to exceed 110knots. So, the Vne is 110. Do not fly the aircraft over the Vne red mark on the air speed dial once you have arrived at the Vne calculation.