Definition
The combined description of an airplane's intended flight path (its vertical and horizontal track through the air) and its intended airspeed at points along that path. Pilots manage the path-speed profile primarily through coordinated use of the elevator and throttle, with the elevator controlling the path and the throttle controlling the speed.
Plain English
It's the plan for where the airplane is going and how fast it should be going at each point along the way. Flying well means keeping both the path and the speed where you want them at the same time.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of how the throttle and elevator work together to manage climbs, descents, level flight, and approaches.
Derivation
Path refers to the route the airplane follows through the air -- climbing, descending, or level. Speed refers to how fast it's moving along that route. Profile means a combined picture of both. Together the phrase captures the two things a pilot is always trying to control at once.
Why Pilots Care
Incorrect path-speed management leads to unstable approaches, excessive speed on touchdown, or insufficient energy to reach the runway.
Grounding Statement
On final approach, the airplane needs to be on the intended path to the runway and at the intended speed at the same time.
Intuition Check
Do not read profile here as only a drawing or chart. In this context, it means the combined pattern of the airplane’s path and speed during flight.
Example Sentence 1
On final approach, the pilot used small throttle adjustments to hold the airspeed and small elevator inputs to stay on glidepath, keeping the airplane on its path-speed profile.
Example Sentence 2
A well-planned path-speed profile on final allows the pilot to arrive at the runway threshold at the correct speed and height without last-minute corrections.