What is the best maneuvering speed (Va) for the Cessna 152?

The best maneuvering speed (Va) for the Cessna 152 is 104 KIAS. This speed is crucial for the safety and control of the aircraft, particularly during turbulence or when executing abrupt maneuvers. Va represents the maximum speed at which the aircraft can safely maneuver without risking structural damage if full deflection of the control surfaces is applied.

At this speed, any sudden control inputs will allow the aircraft to stall before exceeding its load limit, thus providing a margin of safety in turbulent conditions. Flight at this speed is particularly important during training, where students may experiment with turns and other maneuvers. Understanding this speed helps pilots make informed decisions about when to safely perform certain flight operations without exceeding the aircraft's performance limitations.