Definition
An airspeed that is held steady at a chosen value during a maneuver or phase of flight, with pitch and power adjusted as needed to prevent the indicated airspeed from drifting up or down.
Plain English
Keeping the airspeed needle pinned on one number and not letting it move.
Context Anchor
Seen when using the airspeed indicator during straight-and-level instrument flight to confirm that the airplane’s speed is staying steady.
Derivation
Constant comes from a Latin word meaning “to stand firm” or “remain fixed.” In aviation, it helps point to the idea of a speed that is being held steady, not one that is wandering up or down.
Why Pilots Care
Stable airspeed supports accurate performance, fuel planning, and safe handling throughout each phase of flight.
Intuition Check
Constant airspeed does not mean the airplane is motionless, and it does not mean the number can never flicker slightly. It means the airplane’s speed through the air is being held steady enough for the flight task.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor asked the student to fly a constant airspeed of 100 knots while descending at 500 feet per minute.
Example Sentence 2
In a standard-rate turn the pilot increased power slightly to keep constant airspeed despite the added drag.