minimum control speed (VMC)

The minimum IAS (indicated air speed) at which an airplane can be safely flown under all conditions. Specifically, there are three minimum control speeds as follows:
i. V_MCA. The minimum speed at which an aircraft can be controlled in the air. It is defined as the minimum limiting speed above which it is possible to climb away with the bank angle not greater than 5° after the failure of the critical engine in the takeoff configuration, with the failed engine wind-milling and the center of gravity at its aft limit.
ii. V_MCG. The minimum speed at which an aircraft can be controlled on the ground. Above this speed, the pilot can maintain directional control of the aircraft consequent to the failure of the critical engine without applying more than 155 lb (70 kg) force.
iii. V_MCL. The minimum speed at which an aircraft can be controlled in the landing configuration, while applying the maximum variation of power on the remaining engines consequent to the failure of the critical engine.

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References in periodicals archive

Once you've studied aircraft systems you'll get into aerodynamics peculiar to single-engine operations in a twin and the speeds you'll need to know for the particular airplane and their significance: minimum control speed (Vmc), single-engine best rate of climb speed (Vyse), single-engine best angle of climb speed (Vxse) and safe single-engine speed (Vsse).

Multi-Engine Rating: Pricey, Challenging, Fun: We think it's realistic to be able to get the rating with 10 hours of dual in less than a week for under $5000 if you show up prepared and are willing to work hard

First of all, let's define what we mean by "flight at minimum controllable airspeed." Importantly, this is not the same as a conventional twin's VMC, or minimum control speed with the critical engine inoperative.

Minimum airspeed: use this skill to learn and demonstrate how an airplane handles when slow, like when landing or taking off

These factors include minimum control speed, refusal speed, rotation speed, lift-off speed, climb-out speed, three-engine rate of climb, decision speed, flap-retraction speeds, and center-of-gravity limits.

The wheel spun freely

Testing includes Vmcg (ground minimum control speed), trimmed and mis-trimmed takeoff characteristics.

Inside Air Travel

The aircraft was being flown below its minimum control speed for flight on one engine and therefore crashed.

Pilot had plane only three weeks; Survivor remembers someone screaming

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