Definition
The airspeed at which an aircraft is flown during the en route, level portion of a flight, selected by the pilot based on the aircraft's performance, fuel efficiency, and operational requirements. It is the steady airspeed maintained between the climb and descent phases.
Plain English
The speed the aircraft is flown at once it has reached its planned altitude and is travelling level toward its destination, before it begins to descend.
Context Anchor
In this section, you see it when the handbook explains how to enter a straight climb or descent from normal level flight.
Derivation
From 'cruise,' originally a sailing term meaning to sail back and forth or travel without hurry. In aviation it carries the same sense: the steady, settled portion of the flight between departure and arrival.
Why Pilots Care
Climbs, descents, and configuration changes are usually planned to begin from or return to cruising airspeed. Knowing the cruising airspeed for the aircraft sets the baseline for fuel burn, time en route, and the pitch and power settings used during transitions.
Intuition Check
Do not read “cruising” as “casual” or “fastest.” Here it means the airplane’s normal steady speed through the air before starting the next maneuver.
Example Sentence 1
After leveling off at 6,000 feet, the pilot reduced power and trimmed the aircraft to hold the planned cruising airspeed.
Example Sentence 2
The aircraft was operated at its recommended cruising airspeed to achieve the best fuel economy on the cross-country leg.