Definition
The airspeed shown directly on the airspeed indicator in the cockpit, expressed in knots. It is derived from the difference between ram air pressure (from the pitot tube) and static air pressure (from the static port), and is uncorrected for instrument error, installation error, or variations in air density due to altitude and temperature.
Plain English
The speed your airspeed indicator is showing you right now, straight off the dial, before any corrections are applied.
Context Anchor
Seen on the airspeed indicator and in published speeds for takeoff, climb, approach, and landing.
Derivation
"Indicated" comes from the Latin indicare, meaning "to point out" or "to show." In aviation, it simply refers to what an instrument is pointing to or displaying — not a corrected or true value, just the raw reading.
Why Pilots Care
Aircraft limitations such as stall speeds, flap extension speeds, and recommended climb speeds are published and marked in indicated airspeed because that is the value the pilot sees on the gauge.
Intuition Check
Indicated does not mean exact. It means shown on the cockpit airspeed indicator, before corrections.
Example Sentence 1
On final approach, the pilot held an indicated airspeed of 65 knots until crossing the threshold.
Example Sentence 2
On final approach the student cross-checked the airspeed indicator to maintain the target indicated airspeed of 65 knots.