Definition
The specific target airspeeds a pilot intends to maintain for a given phase of instrument flight, such as climb, cruise, holding, approach, or landing. These target speeds are determined by the aircraft's performance data, the maneuver being flown, and any operational or regulatory requirements applicable to that phase.
Plain English
The airspeeds a pilot is aiming for at each stage of the flight. Different parts of the flight call for different speeds, and 'desired airspeeds' simply means the ones the pilot has chosen to fly at that moment.
Context Anchor
Used in instrument flying when setting pitch and power to hold a planned speed during level flight, climbs, descents, and approaches.
Why Pilots Care
Maintaining the correct desired airspeeds ensures stable flight paths, prevents stalls or overspeeds, and supports accurate instrument navigation without visual cues.
Grounding Statement
In the cockpit, the desired airspeed is the number you choose first, then you adjust the airplane until the airspeed indicator settles on that number.
Intuition Check
“Desired” does not mean merely preferred or optional here. It means the target speed the pilot is deliberately trying to establish and hold for that situation.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot adjusted pitch and power to maintain the desired airspeeds during the climb to cruise altitude.
Example Sentence 2
During the missed approach, the crew accelerated to the desired airspeed for the climb segment.