What is the primary use of minimally safe airspeed during a descent?

Minimally safe airspeed is critical during a descent primarily to ensure safe clearance over obstacles while landing. This airspeed represents the lowest speed at which an aircraft can maintain controlled flight, allowing pilots to effectively navigate through descent profiles that require precision, particularly near terrain features or man-made obstacles. Maintaining this airspeed helps ensure that the aircraft has adequate control authority and performance, significantly reducing the risk of stalling or losing control as the aircraft approaches the ground, especially when facing the need to clear obstacles.

While fuel efficiency and descent rates are important considerations in flight operations, they do not take precedence over safety margin concerns associated with obstacle clearance. Conserving lift is not directly related to the critical nature of maintaining a minimally safe airspeed during descent, as the primary goal is ensuring that the aircraft remains safely airborne and maneuverable enough to avoid any hazards until landing. Hence, the recognition of the airborne environment and the need for control make minimal safe airspeed absolutely vital during this phase of flight.