Definition
Controlled maneuvers in which the airplane loses altitude in a deliberate, planned manner, accomplished by reducing power, lowering the nose, or both, to transition from a higher altitude to a lower one while maintaining a target airspeed and rate of descent.
Plain English
Going down from one altitude to a lower one on purpose, in a controlled way the pilot manages with pitch and power.
Context Anchor
Seen when learning basic flight maneuvers, approaching an airport, leaving cruise altitude, or setting up to land.
Derivation
From the Latin descendere, meaning 'to climb down' (de- 'down' + scandere 'to climb'). The aviation meaning keeps that original sense exactly: a controlled movement downward.
Why Pilots Care
Proper descent control is essential for fuel efficiency, terrain clearance, airspeed management, and smooth arrivals.
Intuition Check
Do not think of a descent as simply “going down.” In flying, a descent is a controlled change to a lower altitude, not an uncontrolled drop.
Example Sentence 1
After reaching the practice area, the student began a series of descents to lower altitudes to practice power and pitch coordination.
Example Sentence 2
Power-off descents were practiced to simulate an engine failure on approach.