Definition
The rate of climb or descent, expressed in feet per minute, that a pilot intends to maintain in order to transition between two altitudes within a planned distance or time. It is the target value shown on the vertical speed indicator (VSI) during a constant rate climb or descent.
Plain English
The up-or-down speed, in feet per minute, that you want the airplane to fly at to reach a chosen altitude on schedule.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when planning or flying a constant-rate climb to meet an altitude requirement.
Why Pilots Care
Allows precise adherence to published climb gradients, ATC clearances, and safe obstacle clearance.
Grounding Statement
If you need to gain 1,000 feet in 5 minutes, your desired vertical speed is 200 feet per minute up.
Intuition Check
Desired does not mean just the rate you would prefer. Here it means the calculated or selected climb rate needed to meet a specific altitude goal.
Example Sentence 1
To lose 3,000 feet over the next six minutes, the pilot calculated a desired vertical speed of 500 feet per minute and set the VSI accordingly.
Example Sentence 2
Adjusting the desired vertical speed ensured the aircraft met the required climb gradient after takeoff.