In aircraft performance terminology, what does "Vf" stand for?

In aircraft performance terminology, "Vf" stands for maneuvering speed. This speed is crucial for pilots because it represents the maximum speed at which the aircraft can be safely controlled in turbulent air without risking structural damage. At or below this speed, full deflection of the flight controls can be applied without causing a stall or exceeding the aircraft's design load factor.

Understanding maneuvering speed is vital, particularly during flight operations such as turbulence or when performing certain maneuvers. Flying at or below this speed ensures that if the aircraft encounters unexpected turbulence or wind gusts, it can handle the loads without structural failure, thus enhancing safety during critical phases of flight.

While other speeds, such as takeoff speed, landing speed, and flight speed, are important for various phases of flight, they serve different purposes and are not directly related to the aircraft's structural considerations under maneuvering conditions.