Soar to New Heights with the 2025 Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Practice Exam – Ready for Takeoff!

The upper limit of the white arc on the airspeed indicator indicates the maximum flap extension speed, commonly referred to as Vfe. This speed marks the highest airspeed at which the flaps can be safely deployed. Operating an aircraft above this speed while the flaps are extended can lead to an increased risk of structural damage to the aircraft, as the aerodynamic forces on the wings and control surfaces can intensify with higher speeds. Understanding Vfe is crucial for pilots during landing and approach phases, as it ensures that they are operating within safe limits when configuring the aircraft for landing.

In contrast, other speed indicators serve different purposes: Vne, or never exceed speed, represents the airspeed limit that should never be surpassed; Vno, or maximum structural cruising speed, indicates the upper limit for normal operations in turbulent air; and Vso indicates the stalling speed in the landing configuration, or the minimum speed at which the aircraft can safely fly with the landing gear and flaps down. Each of these speeds plays a different role in the overall operation and safety of flight.