Recommended Flap Deployment Speeds for Cessna 172: Detailed Guidelines

M15A Guest

Hi guys,

A quick question:

in a Cessna 172, at what speed can I lower 10 degrees of flaps? And at what speed 20? And 30?

Thanks in advance for the answer!

Answers 9 Answers

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Pro Member Chief Captain
CRJCapt Chief Captain

M15A wrote:

Hi guys,
A quick question:
in a Cessna 172, at what speed can I lower 10 degrees of flaps? And at what speed 20? And 30?

On the Kneeboard:
Flaps 10 degrees----------110 KIAS
Flaps 15-30 degrees--------85 KIAS (Top of white arc on ASI, Vfe)
🙂

Pro Member First Officer
to_coolguys First Officer

CRJCapt wrote:

M15A wrote:

Hi guys,
A quick question:
in a Cessna 172, at what speed can I lower 10 degrees of flaps? And at what speed 20? And 30?

On the Kneeboard:
Flaps 10 degrees----------110 KIAS
Flaps 15-30 degrees--------85 KIAS (Top of white arc on ASI, Vfe)
🙂

CRJ ..I doubt it is 110 for 10 degrees..From what I have read is you shud start lowering the flaps only when within the white arc..So if you are at 85 KIAS then you should lower 10 degrees..85 is the max speed when you should have your flaps and retract them fully after 85 KIAS..

Guest

to_coolguys wrote:

CRJCapt wrote:

M15A wrote:

Hi guys,
A quick question:
in a Cessna 172, at what speed can I lower 10 degrees of flaps? And at what speed 20? And 30?

On the Kneeboard:
Flaps 10 degrees----------110 KIAS
Flaps 15-30 degrees--------85 KIAS (Top of white arc on ASI, Vfe)
🙂

CRJ ..I doubt it is 110 for 10 degrees..From what I have read is you shud start lowering the flaps only when within the white arc..So if you are at 85 KIAS then you should lower 10 degrees..85 is the max speed when you should have your flaps and retract them fully after 85 KIAS..

That's why I asked...In Xplane I lowered 10 degrees of flaps when flying 100 KIAS and the flaps just got pulled off the plane and I got a warning on the screen...

So I should be below 85 KIAS to add any flaps?

Pro Member First Officer
to_coolguys First Officer

yeah..you have to be within the white marker(below 85 KIAS) to start adding flaps...

Pro Member Chief Captain
CRJCapt Chief Captain

I'm only reporting what the program says in the kneeboard data, read it for yourself. On some aircraft, the first notch of flaps can be lowered outside of the white arc according to the manufacturer, depends on the aircraft. That coincides with the real world. If you want to wait until you're within the white arc, that's not wrong. I was just answering what the limits were. The data is for Flight Simulator, I don't know about X-Planes.

Found this on the web: 10 degrees flaps before white arc?

FAR sections 23.345 (High lift devices) and 23.1511 (Flap extended speed) and 23.1545 (Airspeed indicator) covers the subject of flap extended speeds and
airspeed indicator markings.

This is a good example of why it's important for pilots to read and
understand the AFM/POH for the make AND model being operated. Also, the Type Certificate Data Sheet for the particular make and model.

This TCDS covers all 172s. For models 172 through early 172Ms the Vfe
limitation is 87 knots. From later 172Ms through the 172R the Vfe limitation
is 85 knots. This is the highest speed, in general, that the pilot should
extend *full* flaps.

Vfe is a speed limitation with the flaps fully extended. Intermediate speeds
are established by the manufacturer and published in the AFM/POH and are not
in the TCDS. As specified in FAR 23.1545(b)(4) (Airspeed indicator) the flap
operating range, there is a white arc with the lower limit at Vso at the
maximum weight, and the upper limit at the flaps-extended speed Vfe
established under 23.1511. In the 172 TCDS, for example, there is a
statement for earlier models that says ""This airplane must be operated in
compliance with the operating limitations stated in the form of placards,
markings, and manuals." For the 172R it says " All FAA required placards are
included in Section 2 of the applicable POH/AFM." As I said, the
manufacturer has determined the appropriate speeds for the intermediate flap
extension/operating speeds and has noted them in the AFM/POH and/or markings
and placards in that make/model airplane.

M15A Guest

CRJCapt wrote:

I'm only reporting what the program says in the kneeboard data, read it for yourself. On some aircraft, the first notch of flaps can be lowered outside of the white arc according to the manufacturer, depends on the aircraft. That coincides with the real world. If you want to wait until you're within the white arc, that's not wrong. I was just answering what the limits were. The data is for Flight Simulator, I don't know about X-Planes.

Found this on the web: 10 degrees flaps before white arc?

FAR sections 23.345 (High lift devices) and 23.1511 (Flap extended speed) and 23.1545 (Airspeed indicator) covers the subject of flap extended speeds and
airspeed indicator markings.

This is a good example of why it's important for pilots to read and
understand the AFM/POH for the make AND model being operated. Also, the Type Certificate Data Sheet for the particular make and model.

This TCDS covers all 172s. For models 172 through early 172Ms the Vfe
limitation is 87 knots. From later 172Ms through the 172R the Vfe limitation
is 85 knots. This is the highest speed, in general, that the pilot should
extend *full* flaps.

Vfe is a speed limitation with the flaps fully extended. Intermediate speeds
are established by the manufacturer and published in the AFM/POH and are not
in the TCDS. As specified in FAR 23.1545(b)(4) (Airspeed indicator) the flap
operating range, there is a white arc with the lower limit at Vso at the
maximum weight, and the upper limit at the flaps-extended speed Vfe
established under 23.1511. In the 172 TCDS, for example, there is a
statement for earlier models that says ""This airplane must be operated in
compliance with the operating limitations stated in the form of placards,
markings, and manuals." For the 172R it says " All FAA required placards are
included in Section 2 of the applicable POH/AFM." As I said, the
manufacturer has determined the appropriate speeds for the intermediate flap
extension/operating speeds and has noted them in the AFM/POH and/or markings
and placards in that make/model airplane.

Hmmm....so we are not the only ones confused about this subject!

Pro Member First Officer
to_coolguys First Officer

CRJCapt wrote:

I'm only reporting what the program says in the kneeboard data, read it for yourself. On some aircraft, the first notch of flaps can be lowered outside of the white arc according to the manufacturer, depends on the aircraft. That coincides with the real world. If you want to wait until you're within the white arc, that's not wrong. I was just answering what the limits were. The data is for Flight Simulator, I don't know about X-Planes.

Found this on the web: 10 degrees flaps before white arc?

FAR sections 23.345 (High lift devices) and 23.1511 (Flap extended speed) and 23.1545 (Airspeed indicator) covers the subject of flap extended speeds and
airspeed indicator markings.

This is a good example of why it's important for pilots to read and
understand the AFM/POH for the make AND model being operated. Also, the Type Certificate Data Sheet for the particular make and model.

This TCDS covers all 172s. For models 172 through early 172Ms the Vfe
limitation is 87 knots. From later 172Ms through the 172R the Vfe limitation
is 85 knots. This is the highest speed, in general, that the pilot should
extend *full* flaps.

Vfe is a speed limitation with the flaps fully extended. Intermediate speeds
are established by the manufacturer and published in the AFM/POH and are not
in the TCDS. As specified in FAR 23.1545(b)(4) (Airspeed indicator) the flap
operating range, there is a white arc with the lower limit at Vso at the
maximum weight, and the upper limit at the flaps-extended speed Vfe
established under 23.1511. In the 172 TCDS, for example, there is a
statement for earlier models that says ""This airplane must be operated in
compliance with the operating limitations stated in the form of placards,
markings, and manuals." For the 172R it says " All FAA required placards are
included in Section 2 of the applicable POH/AFM." As I said, the
manufacturer has determined the appropriate speeds for the intermediate flap
extension/operating speeds and has noted them in the AFM/POH and/or markings
and placards in that make/model airplane.

Good find..So it all depends on the make and model and other factors...

Pro Member First Officer
pilatflyr First Officer

that's where the kneeboards come in handy for once. 😂

Pro Member Captain
Ian Stephens (ianstephens) Captain
Ian Stephens is an expert on this topic. Read his bio here.

Certainly, understanding the correct speeds for flap deployment in a Cessna 172 is an essential part of flight simulation and real-world flying. Here's what you need to know:

1. Flap Deployment at 10 Degrees:
For a Cessna 172, the initial 10-degree flap setting is generally used when you are at a speed of 110 knots (KIAS) or less. This setting helps during the approach phase, making it easier to manage your descent.

2. Flap Deployment at 20 Degrees:
Moving to a 20-degree flap setting can usually be done when the airspeed falls to 85 knots or below. This further increases lift and drag, and helps when you're making your final approach.

3. Flap Deployment at 30 Degrees:
The 30-degree flap setting is typically used when the airspeed is around 70 knots or less. This is the configuration you'll often want during the final stages of landing, as it maximizes lift and allows for a steeper descent angle.

  • Note: Please consult the specific Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for the Cessna 172 model you're flying, as there may be slight variations in flap deployment recommendations based on the model and any modifications that may have been made.
  • Application to Other Simulators: While these guidelines are based on the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, they generally apply to Microsoft Flight Simulator (released in 2020) and X-Plane 12 as well. Always refer to in-simulator documentation or real-world references to verify accuracy for each platform.

Remember, practice in the simulator with different flap settings is key to mastering them in various flight scenarios. Feel free to experiment within the safe parameters defined by the guidelines.

Safe flying, and don't hesitate to reach out with any more questions!

P.S. For an in-depth look into the Cessna 172's aerodynamics and other specific flight characteristics, you may refer to the actual Cessna 172 POH or relevant official resources available online.

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