CAAP Private Pilot License (PPL) – EQC for C172 Practice Exam

In turbulent air you want to limit structural loads by flying at a speed designated to penetrate the gusts safely. That speed is tied to the airplane’s maneuvering speed and weight, and for a typical C172 at gross weight it sits around 105 KIAS. Flying at about 105 KIAS provides enough control authority to respond to gusts while staying under the airframe’s stress limits, which is exactly what the turbulence penetration speed aims to achieve.

The other options would either be slower than needed, reducing control effectiveness in gusts, or faster than the recommended limit, increasing the risk of overstress in turbulent conditions. So 105 KIAS is the best choice.