Definition
A standardized set of colored arcs and lines on the face of an airspeed indicator that show the operating speed ranges and limits of the aircraft. The standard markings are: a white arc (flap operating range, from stall speed in landing configuration to maximum flap-extended speed), a green arc (normal operating range, from stall speed clean to maximum structural cruising speed), a yellow arc (caution range, smooth air only), and a red radial line (never-exceed speed, VNE).
Plain English
Colored bands and a red line painted on the airspeed dial that tell the pilot at a glance which speeds are safe, which require caution, and which must never be exceeded.
Context Anchor
Seen on the face of the airspeed indicator during preflight checks, takeoff, landing, and normal flight.
Derivation
Color-coded means that each color is assigned a specific meaning. In this term, the colors are not decoration; they are a simple code for reading the aircraft’s speed limits quickly.
Why Pilots Care
Enables immediate visual recognition of safe speed ranges, helping prevent stalls or structural overload.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the colors are only general warnings. On an airspeed indicator, each color has a specific FAA-defined meaning tied to that aircraft’s approved speeds.
Example Sentence 1
During the preflight briefing, the instructor pointed to the color-coded marking system on the airspeed indicator and explained what each arc represented.
Example Sentence 2
Before lowering flaps, the pilot verified the airspeed was inside the white arc of the color-coded marking system.