Plain English Meaning

The speed range where the airplane responds the way you'd expect: pull back to slow down and climb, push forward to speed up, and going faster needs more power.

Full Definition

The range of airspeeds above the speed for minimum drag (L/D max) in which the aircraft behaves in the conventional, expected way: as airspeed increases, more thrust or power is required, and as pitch is raised the aircraft slows while climbing. Most normal flight operations -- climb, cruise, and descent at typical maneuvering speeds -- take place within this region.

Context Anchor

Seen in when how pitch and power together to airspeed, , and .