Definition
A descent procedure in which an aircraft loses altitude in a series of separate, level segments rather than in one continuous descent. The aircraft descends to an assigned altitude, levels off, then descends again to the next assigned altitude, repeating this pattern until reaching the final altitude.
Plain English
Coming down in stages, like steps on a staircase. The pilot drops to one altitude, holds it for a while, then drops to the next altitude, and so on, instead of descending smoothly all the way down.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approaches, arrivals, and air traffic control clearances that require the pilot to descend by assigned or published altitude stages.
Derivation
“Descent” comes from an older word meaning “to go down.” “Step” adds the idea of separate levels, like stages, rather than one continuous downward path.
Why Pilots Care
Enables compliance with ATC altitude restrictions while managing airspeed, fuel burn, and terrain clearance.
Analogy
Think of walking down a staircase rather than a ramp — each step is a level segment, and the drop between steps is the descent.
Grounding Statement
Picture crossing one point at 3,000 feet, staying there until the next allowed descent point, then descending to 2,000 feet.
Intuition Check
“Step” does not mean anything physical is stepping on the airplane. It means the descent is broken into separate altitude stages instead of flown as one continuous slope.
Example Sentence 1
ATC issued a step descent, clearing us first to 10,000 feet, then to 6,000 once we were clear of the inbound traffic.
Example Sentence 2
We used a step descent on the arrival to stay above the arriving traffic until reaching the next assigned altitude.