Plain English Meaning

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.

Full 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.

Context Anchor

Used in emergency descent procedures in the airplane's and during training for situations such as , fire, or a need to descend rapidly.