Definition
A published or ATC-assigned limit on an aircraft's airspeed at a specific point or segment of a procedure, requiring the pilot to fly at, above, below, or between stated speeds (typically expressed in knots indicated airspeed).
Plain English
A rule on a chart or from ATC telling you how fast you may fly at a certain point. You must adjust your speed to match it.
Context Anchor
Seen on arrival procedures such as STAR charts, and also heard in controller instructions during arrival or approach.
Derivation
“Restriction” comes from a Latin idea meaning “to bind back” or “hold within limits.” That helps here because the speed is not just information; it is a limit or requirement the pilot must stay within.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains safe spacing between aircraft, manages traffic flow into busy airports, and supports proper descent profiles.
Intuition Check
Do not read “speed restriction” as a casual suggestion. In this context, it is a required speed limit or speed target unless the controller cancels or changes it.
Example Sentence 1
The STAR included a speed restriction of 250 knots at SHAFF intersection, so the crew began slowing the aircraft ten miles prior.
Example Sentence 2
ATC issued a speed restriction of 210 knots until crossing the final approach fix.