Words for: Airspace
← Back to AirspaceSign up free to keep track of the words you’ve cleared.
VR is the abbreviation for rotation speed.
The speed during the takeoff run at which you smoothly pull back on the controls to lift the nose off the runway.
The airspeed during the takeoff roll at which the pilot applies back pressure on the controls to raise the nosewheel off the runway and establish the takeoff pitch attitude. VR is published in the Airplane Flight Manual or Pilot's Operating Handbook for the airplane's weight and configuration.
Seen in takeoff performance information, aircraft handbooks, and takeoff briefings.
The 'V' comes from the French 'vitesse,' meaning speed. The 'R' stands for 'rotation' — the moment the airplane rotates about its main wheels to lift the nose. Aviation uses a family of V-speeds (V1, VR, V2, VS, etc.) that all share this naming pattern.
Selecting the correct VR ensures the airplane has enough runway and energy to become airborne safely without risking a stall or overrun.
VR does not mean the airplane must leave the ground exactly at that speed. It means that is the speed to begin raising the nose for liftoff.
Approaching VR, the pilot smoothly applied back pressure and the nosewheel lifted off the runway.
A higher VR was used for the short-field takeoff to clear the obstacle at the end of the runway.