Definition
The force the pilot applies to the control yoke or stick in the left or right direction to deflect the ailerons and produce or correct a roll about the longitudinal axis. It is the sensed resistance of the controls when commanding bank, and is adjusted continuously to hold a desired bank angle or to roll into and out of turns.
Plain English
How hard you are pushing the yoke or stick sideways to make the airplane bank, or to keep it from banking when something is trying to roll it.
Context Anchor
Encountered in instrument flying when controlling bank by feel and by instrument indications, especially during small corrections and power changes.
Derivation
Aileron comes from the French aileron, meaning 'little wing.' That fits because ailerons are the small hinged surfaces near the wingtips that the pilot moves to bank the airplane. 'Control pressure' here means the physical force on the controls, not air pressure.
Why Pilots Care
Smooth, proportional application prevents overcontrolling, maintains coordination, and supports precise attitude control when outside visual references are unavailable.
Grounding Statement
If the airplane needs a small bank correction, you do not usually shove the control; you apply light aileron control pressure and then relax it as the bank reaches the desired attitude.
Intuition Check
Do not read “pressure” here as air pressure or hydraulic pressure. It means the force of your hand on the control wheel or stick.
Example Sentence 1
She applied light aileron control pressure to roll into a standard-rate turn, then relaxed it once the bank was established.
Example Sentence 2
Release aileron control pressure gradually to return the wings to level after the heading change.