Definition
A referenced airspeed used during the takeoff of a transport-category aircraft, designated V2, which the airplane must reach by the 35-foot height above the runway and maintain during the initial climb segment following an engine failure at or after V1. It provides a margin above stall speed and minimum control speed that guarantees adequate climb performance with the critical engine inoperative.
Plain English
The speed an airliner must be flying at by the time it reaches 35 feet above the runway, fast enough to keep climbing safely even if one engine has just failed.
Context Anchor
Seen in takeoff performance planning, especially for larger multiengine airplanes and turbine aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
It decides whether a takeoff can safely continue or must be rejected after an engine failure.
Grounding Statement
This speed marks the point where the airplane has enough flying speed after takeoff to handle a serious engine problem and still climb.
Intuition Check
Takeoff safety speed does not mean any speed that feels safe during takeoff. It is a specific planned speed used for climb performance after liftoff, especially with one engine failed.
Example Sentence 1
After the engine failure on departure, the captain pitched for takeoff safety speed and held it through the initial climb.
Example Sentence 2
The crew calculated the takeoff safety speed based on aircraft weight and runway length before departure.