Definition
The set of specific speeds at which an airplane is flown for particular phases of flight or operating conditions, such as takeoff, climb, approach, landing, maneuvering, and emergency procedures. Each airspeed is published by the manufacturer in the Pilot's Operating Handbook and is expressed in knots or miles per hour, often as a V-speed (e.g., VX, VY, VS, VA, VFE, VNE).
Plain English
The different speeds a pilot is supposed to fly at during different parts of a flight. Each one has a purpose, like the best speed to climb, the safest speed to land, or the speed never to exceed.
Context Anchor
Pilots see airspeeds on the airspeed indicator, in the airplane operating handbook, on checklists, and while flying maneuvers, climbs, descents, and approaches.
Derivation
The word combines “air” and “speed.” In aviation, that combination matters because the airplane responds to its speed through the air, not just its speed over the ground.
Why Pilots Care
Knowing the correct airspeeds prevents stalls, ensures adequate climb performance, avoids structural damage, and keeps the flight within safe limits during every phase.
Intuition Check
Do not read “airspeed” as simply “how fast the airplane is going across the ground.” Airspeed is about movement through the air, so wind can make it different from ground speed.
Example Sentence 1
Before takeoff, the student reviewed the key airspeeds for climb, approach, and landing from the Pilot's Operating Handbook.
Example Sentence 2
Each airplane has published airspeeds for best climb rate, best glide, and never-exceed speed that the pilot must memorize.