limiting speed

limiting speed

i. The maximum indicated air speed permitted, depending on the aircraft configuration. The configuration in this case means clean aircraft, aircraft with external load(s), aircraft with landing gear down, etc. The limiting speed is also specified for operation of services, as in the maximum speed for lowering the undercarriage or flaps, etc.
ii. The speed in any flight condition in which there is no longitudinal acceleration.
iii. The speed which if exceeded may result in aerodynamic departure, structural failure, compressibility problems for non-supersonic aircraft, loss of directional stability at high Mach numbers, or aerodynamic heating problems. Also called redline speed. The symbol for limit speed is VL. See limit speed.