Which statement correctly defines V1, Vr, and V2, and how weight affects these speeds?

• A. V1 is landing decision speed; Vr is rotation speed; V2 is approach speed; heavier weight has no effect.
• B. V1 is takeoff decision speed; Vr is rotation speed; V2 is safe climb speed; heavier weight or adverse conditions typically raise these speeds and affect performance.
• C. V1 is stall speed; Vr is cruising speed; V2 is maximum speed; heavier weight lowers these speeds.
• D. V1 is takeoff speed; Vr is climb speed; V2 is touchdown speed; wind does not affect speeds.

Answer: (B)

V1, Vr, and V2 are takeoff speeds that define the safe takeoff path. V1 is the speed at which you must decide whether to continue or abort the takeoff. Vr is the rotation speed at which you lift the nose to transition to flight. V2 is the minimum climb speed that guarantees a safe, stable takeoff and initial climb.

Weight directly affects these speeds because additional weight requires more lift and more runway to accelerate to a safe margin. As weight increases, you need to reach higher speeds to have enough runway remaining to abort safely, to rotate and lift off with control, and to achieve a reliable, climb-capable speed after liftoff. Adverse conditions, such as high density altitude or degraded performance, similarly raise the required speeds to maintain adequate performance margins.

Wind affects takeoff distance and climb performance rather than changing the fundamental IAS thresholds themselves, so the notion that these speeds stay unchanged with wind isn’t accurate, while heavier weight or adverse conditions raising V1, Vr, and V2 is correct.