Definition
The airspeed at which the pilot, during the takeoff roll, applies back pressure on the controls to raise the nosewheel off the runway and establish the pitch attitude needed for liftoff. Vr is published for transport-category aircraft and many high-performance aircraft, and is calculated for the specific weight, runway, and atmospheric conditions of each takeoff.
Plain English
The speed during the takeoff run at which the pilot pulls back on the controls to lift the nose off the runway so the airplane can begin flying.
Context Anchor
Seen in takeoff performance charts, the airplane’s flight manual, checklists, and takeoff briefings.
Derivation
From the Latin rotare, meaning 'to turn.' The aircraft 'rotates' around its main wheels as the nose pitches up. The 'r' in Vr stands for rotation.
Why Pilots Care
Rotating at the correct Vr ensures the aircraft lifts off at the proper angle of attack and within the calculated runway distance; rotating too early or late can lead to runway overrun or stall.
Grounding Statement
On the takeoff roll, Vr is the speed callout that tells the pilot, “now start raising the nose.”
Intuition Check
Do not read “rotational” as the airplane turning in circles or spinning. Here it means the nose is being raised for takeoff.
Example Sentence 1
Approaching Vr, the first officer called 'rotate,' and the captain smoothly raised the nose to the briefed pitch attitude.
Example Sentence 2
Performance charts showed that a tailwind increased the required Vr by several knots.