Definition
The stall speed of an aircraft expressed as calibrated airspeed (CAS) — that is, indicated airspeed corrected for instrument and position error. It represents the airspeed at which the wing will stall under the conditions specified (typically a given weight, configuration, and bank angle), measured against a corrected reference rather than the raw cockpit reading.
Plain English
The speed at which the aircraft will stall, given as a corrected airspeed value rather than the uncorrected number shown on the airspeed indicator.
Context Anchor
Seen on stall speed charts in performance sections, especially when comparing different weights, flap settings, or bank angles.
Derivation
‘Calibrated’ comes from the Latin ‘calibrare’, meaning to adjust to a standard. In airspeed terms, calibration removes built-in errors from the indicator and the static port location, so the value reflects what the airspeed actually is rather than what the gauge happens to show.
Why Pilots Care
Knowing the calibrated stall speed lets a pilot predict exactly when the airplane will stall under different weights and configurations, which is essential for safe takeoff, landing, and maneuvering decisions.
Grounding Statement
The chart is giving the stall speed as a corrected airspeed value for the exact airplane condition being shown.
Intuition Check
Do not read calibrated as meaning perfect or exact in every situation. Here it means corrected from the cockpit airspeed indication to remove known measurement errors.
Example Sentence 1
The POH lists the calibrated stall speed at maximum gross weight as 50 knots, which corresponds to a slightly different reading on the airspeed indicator.
Example Sentence 2
During preflight planning the instructor had the student compare calibrated stall speeds at different weights to see how much extra speed was needed for a heavy landing.