Definition
A graphical symbol, typically shown on a head-up display or primary flight display, that indicates the actual direction the airplane is travelling through the air at any given moment, accounting for both pitch attitude and the effects of wind, sideslip, and angle of attack.
Plain English
A small symbol on the flight display that shows where the airplane is actually going, not just where its nose is pointing.
Context Anchor
Seen in climb performance discussions, especially when explaining that rate of climb is the vertical part of the aircraft's motion.
Derivation
A 'vector' in physics is an arrow that shows both direction and size. Here it is the arrow showing the direction of the airplane's flight path through the air.
Why Pilots Care
It lets a pilot separate true path motion from indicated airspeed so climb performance and angles can be calculated correctly.
Analogy
Think of an arrow drawn along the airplane's actual path. The arrow's length shows how fast the airplane is moving, and the arrow's tilt shows whether that motion is level, climbing, or descending.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as the direction the nose is pointing. It means the airplane's actual motion along its path, with both speed and direction included.
Example Sentence 1
On final approach, the pilot placed the flight path velocity vector on the runway aiming point and held it steady.
Example Sentence 2
When the flight path velocity vector points upward, the aircraft is gaining altitude even if the nose attitude appears level.