Minimum clean speed

[surface wind]

Twas vectoring a few 737's the other day. I asked number 4, to reduce speed to 220kts, as I thought this was min clean speed. He later said that he was reducing further to 190 kts (I think) 'min clean speed'. Just wondering, what is the min clean speed in a B737? Does it vary with company/series etc?

:confused:

[duece19]

SW

It varies with model and type, and within the same model it varies with wieght.

Based on my 737 experience wich is limited to -800 only I´d tell u that Vclean is around 195-210 kts normally. I dont know about the other models but for an -800, 190 would be flap 1 speed for normal weights (55-65t)

Hope that helps / Duece

[BOAC]

SW - having not long ago learnt the ways of the 737-700 having flown 2/3/4/5 for a while, I will let you into the secret:D

The 2/3/4/5 have PUBLISHED and CERTIFICATED min clean speeds - at normal landing weights, 210kts, 220kts above 53T. These speeds are often higher than the 'real' clean speed for a given weight.

Aha! The 7/8/?9? are a bit more 20th century and have clever computers that CALCULATE the ACTUAL min clean speed and display it to the crew on a 'speed tape' on the display. Crews can then 'legally' fly down to these speeds, which can be 190kts or lower.

If in doubt, check type on the strip and/or ask.

[Gin Slinger]

Minimum clean is a function of the aircraft's mass.

Our company procedure is for min clean on the -500 is Vref40+80, i.e. our landing speed with flap 40 set plus 80 kts.

For a typical flight, this corresponds to ~210 kts on takeoff. Once we've burnt our trip fuel off, this reduces the speed to ~200 kts when we're maneuvering for landing.

[The Greaser]

For the -700 min. clean is Vref40 + 70 which usually comes out between 190 and 200 knots.