Definition
The airspeed specified by the airplane manufacturer for use during an emergency descent maneuver, intended to allow the airplane to lose altitude as quickly as possible while remaining within structural and controllability limits. It is published in the Airplane Flight Manual or Pilot's Operating Handbook and is typically at or near the maximum allowable speed for the configuration used during the descent.
Plain English
The speed the airplane's manufacturer tells you to fly when you need to get down fast in an emergency. It is fast enough to lose altitude quickly, but slow enough that the airplane stays safe to fly.
Context Anchor
Used in emergency descent procedures in the airplane's approved flight manual and during training for situations such as smoke, fire, or a need to descend rapidly.
Why Pilots Care
Selecting and holding this airspeed produces the fastest controlled descent possible, reducing time spent in a hazardous condition such as smoke or fire.
Intuition Check
Emergency descent airspeed does not mean “go as fast as possible.” It means “descend quickly while staying inside the airplane’s approved limits.”
Example Sentence 1
After the cabin pressure warning illuminated, the pilot reduced power, extended the speed brakes, and pitched down to establish the emergency descent airspeed published in the POH.
Example Sentence 2
The POH lists the emergency descent airspeed as 130 knots, which the pilot maintained throughout the rapid descent.