What does vertical velocity indicate?

Vertical velocity specifically refers to the rate at which an aircraft is ascending or descending, typically measured in feet per minute. This measurement is crucial for pilots as it provides real-time data about how quickly the aircraft is gaining or losing altitude. Maintaining appropriate vertical velocity is essential during different phases of flight, particularly during takeoff, landing, and when climbing or descending through different airspaces.

While the other options discuss different aspects of flight, they do not pertain to vertical velocity. For instance, the rate of airspeed change relates to how quickly an aircraft can accelerate or decelerate, which involves horizontal motion rather than vertical movements. Latitude pertains to the north-south geographical position of the aircraft relative to the Earth, and distance to the destination involves horizontal distance calculations rather than vertical measurements. Therefore, the emphasis of vertical velocity is strictly tied to the climbing or diving motion of the aircraft in terms of altitude.