What is V2 in aviation terms?

In aviation, V2 refers to the minimum speed that an aircraft must attain before reaching 35 feet of altitude during takeoff with one engine inoperative. This speed is crucial for maintaining control of the aircraft in the event of an engine failure shortly after takeoff. Achieving V2 ensures that the aircraft can safely climb away from the runway and navigate obstacles ahead, allowing pilots to maintain a margin of safety during this critical phase of flight.

Understanding V2 is vital for flight planning and safety protocols, particularly for multi-engine aircraft. It helps in assessing the aircraft's performance capabilities and ensures compliance with safety regulations. In contrast, the other options relate to different speed parameters that are important in other phases of flight, but they do not define V2 specifically. For instance, maximum climb speed, sustained cruise speed, and landing approach speed all serve distinct operational purposes that are separate from the definition of V2.