Plain English Meaning

A slow-flight zone where flying slower actually needs more engine power, not less. Once the airplane is below a certain speed, the usual rule that 'slower means less power' flips, and pulling the nose up to slow down forces you to add power just to stay level.

Full Definition

The flight regime, occurring at airspeeds below the speed for minimum drag (or minimum power required), in which the normal relationship between airspeed and power is reversed. In this region, slower airspeeds require more power to maintain altitude, and increasing pitch to slow down further increases the power required rather than reducing it. Sometimes called the 'back side of the power curve.'

Context Anchor

Seen in , discussions, and power- explanations in the .