Definition
An autopilot or flight director mode that automatically adjusts pitch attitude to maintain a selected airspeed. In thunderstorm penetration, speed hold is normally disengaged because it can command large pitch changes in response to gusty, rapidly varying airspeed indications, leading to excessive structural loads.
Plain English
A setting on the autopilot that keeps the aircraft flying at a chosen speed by raising or lowering the nose. In rough air it can react too aggressively to wind gusts, so pilots usually turn it off before flying into a thunderstorm.
Context Anchor
Seen when using aircraft automation, especially in instrument flying, climbs, descents, and turbulence procedures.
Why Pilots Care
Prevents airspeed from dropping into a stall or rising into structural damage when strong, shifting winds hit the airplane.
Grounding Statement
In rough air, speed hold may fight every speed change instead of letting the airplane ride through the bumps under the pilot’s control.
Intuition Check
Speed hold does not mean the airplane is guaranteed to stay at one safe speed. It means the automation is trying to maintain a selected speed, and in rough air that effort may create unwanted pitch or power changes.
Example Sentence 1
Before entering the line of thunderstorms, the crew disengaged speed hold and flew a fixed power setting and attitude.
Example Sentence 2
With speed hold engaged, the autopilot raised the nose slightly to keep airspeed steady in the downdraft.