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Landing speed calculator: Vref, Vapp and landing distance
Get your reference speed, your approach speed with wind additive, and how much runway you will use, for any airport in your simulator.
Vref
Vref is the reference landing speed for your weight and flap setting. It sits about 23 percent above the stall speed in the landing configuration, so heavier weights and less flap give a higher Vref.
Vapp
Vapp is the speed you fly on final. It is Vref plus an additive for wind. A common method adds half of the headwind component plus any gust, never less than 5 knots and never more than 20.
Landing distance
The calculator shows the distance to stop on a dry or wet runway and the runway that remains. A factor of about 1.67 is applied to the dry figure, in line with the margin used for dispatch.
Plan the arrival
Load the forecast (TAF) for your arrival airport, pick the best runway for the wind, and use the runway visualizer to see the touchdown and rollout. Plan your descent with the top of descent guide.
Questions
What flap setting should I use?
Most 737 landings use flaps 30 or 40. Flaps 15 is for abnormal cases and gives a higher Vref and longer landing distance.
Why does the tool add to Vref?
Because a headwind gust can drop airspeed suddenly. The additive gives a margin that bleeds off as you flare.
Does it work for other aircraft?
Yes, there are presets for several airliners and a custom option.
More tools and guides
- Takeoff speedsV1, VR, V2, trim, flex
- Landing speedsVref, Vapp, distance
- Runway visualizerWatch the roll
- 737 FMCRoute, legs, performance
- Route plannerDistance, TOD, fuel
- AirportsRunways for 6,000+ airports
For flight simulation use only. The results come from a simplified physics model, not from manufacturer data, and must never be used for real-world flight planning.