Which statement about takeoff speeds is correct?

• A. V1, VR, and V2 are used to determine decision speed, rotation, and safe climb speed.
• B. Takeoff speeds are determined by the aircraft flight plan only.
• C. Takeoff speeds are not used in flight operations.
• D. Takeoff speeds are set by the captain randomly.

Answer: (B)

Takeoff speeds come from the aircraft’s performance calculations for the specific takeoff scenario. The three speeds—decision speed, rotation speed, and the safe-climb speed—are determined by the airplane’s weight, flap setting, runway length and surface, wind, temperature, altitude, and any runway conditions or anti-ice requirements. In other words, V1, VR, and V2 are not picked from the flight plan; they are computed from performance data stored in the AFM and used by the FMS or crew to ensure a safe takeoff.

The flight plan guides routing, weather predictions, and fuel, but it does not set the exact takeoff speeds. Those speeds are operational values derived from the current takeoff conditions and are used to determine whether to continue or abort at V1, when to rotate at VR, and how fast to climb safely after achieving V2. They are not chosen randomly by the captain.