Va is a bit more than that.
While it might be feasible to break something with ham-fisted rudder inputs, in particular (and there are other threads running regarding an accident in the US which may have involved this sort of problem), or multiple control inputs in general, a significant protection is offered for simple pitching inputs wherein the wing will stall before you break anything at speeds up to Va. This is the prime intent of the Va design consideration and is achieved by setting the Va speed at the intersection of the positive stall manoeuvring capability of the wing and the design limit load factor. If you care to have a look at FAR 23.333 and .335 you will get the general picture of how it works.
It follows that, if you don't have a declared turbulence speed for a given aircraft, there is something to be said for keeping below the Va speed in severe turbulence.
.. and, unless you are a competition aerobatic pilot, there is something to be said for trying to fly smoothly .. rather than aggressively ... in one's everyday approach to manoeuvring flight.
Last edited by john_tullamarine; 25th August 2002 at 02:59.