Definition
An ATC clearance instructing the pilot to leave the current altitude, descend to a specified new altitude, and then hold that new altitude until further clearance. The phrase is followed by the assigned altitude (for example, 'descend to and maintain six thousand').
Plain English
Air traffic control is telling you to go down to a specific altitude and then stay there until they tell you to do something else.
Context Anchor
Heard on instrument flights when air traffic control brings an aircraft down from an en route altitude toward lower altitudes or an approach.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains vertical separation from other aircraft and terrain while complying with the clearance.
Intuition Check
Do not hear this as “start going down generally” or “keep descending.” It means descend only to the stated altitude, then hold that altitude.
Example Sentence 1
Center called, 'November One Two Three Alpha, descend to and maintain eight thousand,' and the pilot read back the clearance before reducing power to start down.
Example Sentence 2
After the crossing restriction, descend to and maintain 4,000 feet until cleared for the approach.