What is the minimum speed required for a plane to become airborne?

Answer 1

Due to the shape of the wing, air travels over the wing faster that it travels under the wing, this creates lift. A plane will fly when the lift created by the airflow over the wing is greater than the wight holding the plane to the ground.

Answer 2

There are too many factors to be able to give you a minimum speed to get a plane airborne. The very first airplanes, circa WWI were able to take off at speeds of 15-20 knots. Ultralights would fall into this same category. Small planes, like a Cessna or the like usually can get airborne at 70-80 knots, and large planes like 747's, etc. get airborne at 150-160 knots. All of these speeds can be affected by temperature, humidity, air density, aircraft weight, etc.

Answer 3

Different planes have different minimum takeoff velocities. And even one plane will vary based on how many passengers/payload are aboard. There is an equation in aerospace engineering that will help you determine the stall speed for an aircraft. From there, takeoff speed can be determined as a function of stall speed, and landing speed can be determined as a function of stall speed. There's not much more I feel like disclosing...being that I don't know you, or why you want to know these things. But what I have already said is pretty sufficient basic knowledge.

Answer 4

Depends on the wing area and weight of the plane. I had an ultralight that would fly at 25 mph, while some of the air force jets need 100

Answer 5

Weight vs. design of the wing determines the answer to your question, and the amount of available power is also a big factor. To create lift, you end up creating drag - and if you have big engines - you can overcome a lot of drag, and literally pull yourself off the ground on your engine alone (witness a helicopter please).

A lot of answers said size of the wing - not true - given different efficiencies and design considerations you quickly find that wing area has nothing to with it - unless the designs are otherwise identical - then the larger wing produces more lift (with a corresponding increase in drag). An airplane design team always has as a major issue the design of the wing given government rules for general aviation (stall speeds at certain weights) vs. cruise speed, vs. turbulent air penetration speed, vs. max speed - and all carrying a certain load with a certain sized fuselage.

Wings designed to cruise at high (especially super-sonic) speeds are usually very poor at low speed lift. Conversely a wing designed for superb low speed operation will most likely not be able to go very fast.

The human powered airplane had a lift off speed of just a few knots, and a max speed of about 15 knots. A jet fighter has a wing designed for supersonic flight - and has a takeoff speed in excess of 200 knots. Most general aviation aircraft under 6000 lbs have wings that will permit takeoff as low as around 60 knots, with max speeds of around 180 knots. Commercial airliners routinely takeoff around 120-140 knots, with max speeds in the 530-550 knot range.

Answer 6

All answers are correct. There is the additional caveat that "ground effect" can allow flight at a lower than normal airspeed, but only very close to the ground. Attempting to climb out of "ground effect" without first gaining speed can result in an unwelcome result.
Another factor that I don't think was mentioned in the responses is flap setting.

Answer 7

It varies widely with the weight & size(really the weight) of the plane and the wing area..generally the heavier,larger aircraft require higher takeoff speeds than lighter ones.A Cessna 172 my take off at 60kts while an Airliner typically takes off at 140-150kts.Planes with a long wingspan (area) will takeoff quicker than planes with shorter spans of the same weight.

kts means knots.

Answer 8

There isn't one. It's dependent on wing efficiency, loading, and air speed.

The Gossamer Condor, for example, moved at about 11 mph.

My favorite kite flies with an airspeed of 5 mph and a ground speed of 0.

Answer 9

Some as slow as thirty five mph or less and depending how much wind from what direction.

I've seen small planes stand still headed into the wind.

Answer 10

all aircraft have different take off speeds. it also depends on the weight of the aircraft at takeoff... a loaded cessna 172 may need 60 knots (69 mph) to lift off where as a fully loaded 747 may need as much as 200 knots (230 mph) to lift off