Definition
An autopilot or flight director function that automatically maintains a selected indicated airspeed by adjusting pitch attitude (and in some helicopter systems, collective). When engaged, the system holds the airspeed that was set or captured at engagement, freeing the pilot from making continuous control inputs to maintain that speed.
Plain English
A setting on the autopilot that keeps the aircraft flying at a chosen speed. The autopilot makes the small control adjustments needed to hold that speed steady.
Context Anchor
Seen in helicopter flight manual limitations and in instrument procedure discussions where autopilot or flight control modes may be used during high-workload flying.
Derivation
“Mode” comes from Latin meaning a manner or way of doing something. In aircraft systems, a mode is one selected way the system is operating. “Hold” means to keep something steady, which helps explain that this mode is trying to keep airspeed steady.
Why Pilots Care
It reduces pilot workload so attention can stay on navigation and instrument procedures instead of constant speed adjustments.
Analogy
It is somewhat like a speed-keeping feature in a car, but for speed through the air, not speed over the ground. Unlike a car, the helicopter still has strict power, rotor, and flight manual limits the pilot must monitor.
Intuition Check
“Hold” does not mean the helicopter is locked at that speed no matter what. It means the system will try to maintain the selected airspeed within its authority and within the helicopter’s approved limits.
Example Sentence 1
After establishing the helicopter on the approach course, the pilot engaged Airspeed Hold mode at 80 knots to maintain a stable approach speed.
Example Sentence 2
With Airspeed Hold mode active the helicopter adjusted power and attitude to stay at the chosen speed during the climb.