Plain English Meaning

The older style of climb-and-descent gauge — a round dial with a needle that swings up to show how fast you're climbing and down to show how fast you're descending.

Full Definition

Traditional mechanical Vertical Speed Indicators that display rate of climb or descent using a moving needle on a circular dial, typically calibrated in feet per minute. They sense changes in atmospheric pressure through a calibrated leak in a sealed instrument case and drive the needle proportionally to the rate of pressure change.

Context Anchor

Seen when comparing traditional round cockpit instruments with the vertical speed tape on an electronic flight display.