Definition
The pointer on the vertical speed indicator (VSI) that displays the aircraft's rate of climb or descent in feet per minute. It moves up from the zero position when the aircraft is climbing and down when descending, with the distance from zero showing how fast the altitude is changing.
Plain English
The needle on the cockpit instrument that shows how quickly you are going up or down, measured in feet per minute.
Context Anchor
Seen during instrument flying when entering, checking, or maintaining a climb or descent.
Derivation
“Vertical” means up-and-down, and “speed” means how fast something is changing position. “Needle” is used because many cockpit instruments use a thin pointer, like a needle, to show a reading.
Why Pilots Care
Enables precise control of vertical rate to meet altitude restrictions and ATC clearances without overshooting or undershooting assigned levels.
Intuition Check
Do not read the vertical speed needle as an instant command or perfect first indication of movement. It is a rate indication that helps confirm the climb or descent after the airplane has started moving vertically.
Example Sentence 1
After establishing the climb attitude, the pilot checked that the vertical speed needle was steady at 500 feet per minute.
Example Sentence 2
During descent the vertical speed needle is cross-checked with the altimeter to maintain a steady 500-foot-per-minute rate.