Which statement about Va is true?

• A. Lighter aircraft have a lower stall speed, thus Va must be lower
• B. Va is independent of weight
• C. Va decreases as aircraft weight increases
• D. Va is determined solely by altitude

Answer: (A)

Va, or maneuvering speed, is the speed below which you can apply full, abrupt control inputs without exceeding the airplane’s structural limits. This speed changes with weight because the airframe’s strength and the loads it can safely carry scale with weight. Heavier airplanes can withstand higher loads, so their Va is higher; lighter airplanes, with less structural load to fight, have a lower Va. Since stall speed also drops with lighter weight, it aligns that Va is lower for lighter configurations as well. That’s why the statement about lighter aircraft having a lower stall speed and thus a lower Va is the best description. Va is not independent of weight, it is not determined solely by altitude, and it does vary with weight rather than remaining constant.