The minimum spead of a aeroplane in the air?

Question

The minimum spead of a aeroplane in the air?

Answer 1

that depends on the size of the plane...the average commercial airliner has to reach a speed of 160 mph to take off

but small planes can fly much slower

Answer 2

790

Answer 3

i think once it takes off for bigger planes like 747 it is over 175km/h

Answer 4

Biplanes from around 1920 could fly as slow as 20-30 mph.

With a good headwind, they could fly and be stationary. Which is why early aircraft carriers has it easy --  sail into the wind and the airplane could land with zero relative speed.

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Answer 5

Here's one that flew across the English Channel only reaching a max speed of 18 mph.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gossamer_Al...

The Wright Brothers had a glider that they hoped would essentially sit still (relative to the ground) in an on shore breeze of about 20 mph.  They never quite got it cause their controls couldn't respond to changes in wind speed, temp, density etc......I have seen seagulls do it with ease.  Just hover there motionless, amazing to watch them.

Answer 6

is that ground speed, if so, then a plane could fly backwards with a negative speed.  As above, some planes will fly at 30 MPH, if the wind is blowing 40 MPH, the plane could fly backwards at 10 MPH.