Definition
Published or assigned limits on how fast an aircraft may fly during a specific phase or segment of a procedure, expressed as a maximum speed, a minimum speed, a window between two speeds, or a mandatory speed. On STARs and other terminal procedures, these restrictions appear next to a fix or altitude and are used by ATC to manage traffic flow and spacing into busy terminal areas.
Plain English
Rules that tell you how fast you must, may, or must not fly at certain points along a procedure. They keep traffic flowing smoothly and predictably as aircraft funnel into busy airports.
Context Anchor
Seen on STAR charts and in ATC clearances during arrival planning and descent into busy terminal areas.
Why Pilots Care
Compliance maintains safe separation from other aircraft and prevents ATC conflicts or procedural deviations.
Intuition Check
Do not treat an airspeed restriction as a suggestion or planning note. In this context, it is a required speed limit or speed target unless ATC says otherwise.
Example Sentence 1
The STAR showed an airspeed restriction of 250 knots at LENDY, so we slowed before crossing the fix.
Example Sentence 2
ATC assigned an airspeed restriction to keep the arrival properly sequenced behind traffic ahead.