Is there a speed limit for aeroplanes in the sky?

Answer 1

Over land, aircraft are not allowed to exceed mach 1. Not much of a problem now that concords not flying.
This applies to military aircraft as well, unless in an emergency, such as intercepting airliners, or operation necessity. But you need a damn good reason to do it. This was brought in due to the 'sonic boom' thats created that can damage property and is extremely disruptive to everyday life.

Airspeed is dictated by air traffic control on the ground because they are responsable for keeping aircraft spacing. There is no limit to subsonic speeds for any aircraft.

Answer 2

Yes most definitely there are speed limits for airplanes.

Below 10,000 feet mean sea level you cannot exceed 250 knots indicated airspeed (indicated airspeed is basically what you see on the speedometer, this is different from True Airspeed and Ground Speed).
1 Nautical Mile = 6,080 feet ( the speed is called knots)
1 Mile = 5280 feet

Above 10,000 feet mean sea level the limit is Mach 1 over land (Mach 1 is the speed of sound). This is why Concorde has to slow down below the speed of sound when it reaches land (Military is exempt from the rule, in case of defense or training).

If you are flying in Class D airspace (these are airports with Air Traffic Control but have no Radar to vector traffic) There are many such airports in the US and around the world. These airports have low traffic. The speed limitation within this airspace is 200 knots.

There are so many others, Air Traffic Control can give you a speed limit or they are printed on charts depending on local terrain (mountains, other airports near by for example), there are also speed limitations when you are in a holding pattern because there is heavy traffic.

Answer 3

There are 3 that most of us mere mortals have to deal with. One is specified by ATC. On approach and departures they tell you what speed to fly.

The second is dictate by the plane. It is called VNE or Velocity Never Exceed. If you fly faster than VNE things will start falling off (like the wings).

The third is about the speed of sound (Mach 1)
I know there are guidelines for flying faster than Mach 1 (AC-160 I think) but you have to get special approval unless you are flying higher than 51,000 feet and over unpopulated areas. But I have never had to looking into those regs as I have never flown past .82 Mach in my life.

Answer 4

Now, I fly in Canada, so there may be different rules than in the States, but our's our:

1) 250KIAS below 10,000ft
2) 200KIAS below 3000ft within 10NM of a controlled airport.
3) No speed limit on departure if the aircraft will be flying above 10,000ft.
4) Now, I'm not entirely sure of turbo jets, but 175 KIAS for propeller driven aircraft in the holding pattern.

Answer 5

Yes. Air Traffic control may request flights to go at a certain speed to prevent congestion at destinations, but it's up to the pilot if he ignores this(must have good reason). Also each aircraft has a VNE (Velocity do Not Exceed) that relates to the physical strength and controllability of the aircraft

Answer 6

For bigger plane like the Boeing, It is about 300 knots to 600 knots.

For a navy, marines, it is 400 mph to 800 mph

If there is a war in the country it is allowed to break limit.
1000 to 2000 mph (F-22, F-23 are the latest fastest plane.

Answer 7

In U.S. airspace, civilian aircraft are limited by Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 Code of Federal Regulations 91) to 250 knots indicated airspeed below 10,000 feel mean sea level. True airspeed is generally higher than indicated airspeed, particularly as altitude increases. But would probably not be more than 280 to 300 knots true airspeed at 10,000 feet, depending on local temperature and other atmospheric factors. Other limits are 200 knots indicated airspeed in Class D airspace (generally within 4 nautical miles of an operating control tower and less than 2500 feet above airport elevation) and 200 knots indicated airspeed below and within the lateral limits of Class B airspace. (Examples of Class B airspace include the airspace within 20 nm of LAX, at designated altitudes--but there is no speed limit specified when IN Class B airspace--the general 250 knot limit below 10,000 would apply). Different aircraft types each have their own operating limitations, which include maximum speeds (subject to above regulations when in US airspace). Above about 29000 to 30,000 feet, Mach number is usually used to communicate and to measure airspeed. This automatically considers true airspeed, as Mach number is defined as the ratio of an aircraft's true airspeed to the speed of sound. The speed of sound at high altitude is considerably less than a t sea level, given the lower air density at altitude. Temperature variations at altitude can significantly affect aircraft performance, including Mach number and altitude capability (colder=better), but also depends on aircraft weight (such as fuel load). The Mach 1 limitation on civil aircraft is in a subpart of the regs that addresses noise issues (i.e., sonic booms). Oh, and the Aeronautical Information Manual specifies maximum holding airspeeds which are altitude dependent and which vary depending on whether the aircraft is propeller-driven or jet-powered. Certain instrument procedures may specify a maximum speed relating to protected airspace in course reversals, and circling approach minimums are predicated on approach speed. (The higher the approach speed, the higher the minimums, generally, as the circling maneuver at higher speeds will take the aircraft further from the airport than at lower speeds.) To generalize, 250 knots indicated below 10,000 feet mean sea level, and let her rip above that (unless air traffic control has instructed otherwise), subject to your own aircraft's operating limitations and no sonic booms without permission!

Answer 8

Must be at 250 knots or below 10,000, Must not be over Mach 1 over populated area's due to noise polution.

Answer 9

as the rest of the answers but no plane can fly at the speed of sound or mutlipulls of it due to the shock wave caused so they either fly slighty slower or slighty faster .

Answer 10

as Teerawood said its 250 knots below 10,000 ft msl.