Definition
The target airspeed selected and held during a constant-airspeed descent. In a constant-airspeed straight descent, the pilot establishes a specific airspeed and maintains it throughout the descent by adjusting pitch and power, allowing the rate of descent to vary as needed to keep that airspeed fixed.
Plain English
The speed the pilot picks for going down and then holds steady the whole way down. Instead of choosing how fast to lose altitude, the pilot chooses how fast the airplane is moving through the air and keeps that number locked in.
Context Anchor
Used in instrument flying when setting up and holding a straight descent while watching the airspeed indicator.
Derivation
Descend comes from Latin roots meaning “to climb down.” Airspeed means speed through the air. Together, the phrase points to airspeed during downward flight, not the rate of downward movement.
Why Pilots Care
It prevents uncontrolled speed buildup and keeps the descent path predictable and controllable.
Intuition Check
Do not read descending airspeed as “how fast the airplane is going down.” That is vertical speed: the rate of altitude loss. Descending airspeed is forward speed through the air while the airplane is descending.
Example Sentence 1
Approaching the initial fix, the pilot reduced power and pitched down slightly to establish a descending airspeed of 120 knots.
Example Sentence 2
Select the appropriate descending airspeed for the aircraft before initiating the constant-airspeed descent.