Definition
Rearward pressure applied to the control yoke or stick that raises the elevator, causing the airplane's nose to pitch up. During takeoff, it is the gentle pull on the controls used to set the takeoff pitch attitude and allow the wings to lift the airplane off the runway.
Plain English
A steady pull back on the yoke or stick that lifts the airplane's nose. On takeoff, it's how the pilot tells the airplane it's time to leave the ground.
Context Anchor
Encountered during the lift-off portion of a normal takeoff, when the pilot raises the nose from the runway attitude to the takeoff attitude.
Derivation
"Back" refers to the direction the controls are moved (toward the pilot). "Elevator" is the moving surface on the tail that controls pitch -- it "elevates" the nose. "Pressure" is used instead of "movement" because pilots are taught to think in terms of smooth, applied force rather than abrupt control inputs.
Why Pilots Care
Proper back-elevator pressure produces a positive climb rate while avoiding an overly steep pitch that could cause a stall close to the ground.
Analogy
Like pulling back lightly on bicycle handlebars to lift the front wheel just enough to clear a small curb.
Intuition Check
Do not read “pressure” here as air pressure. It means the force the pilot applies to the control wheel or stick. Do not read “back-elevator” as pressure on the pilot’s back. It means rearward control input that raises the nose.
Example Sentence 1
As the airspeed indicator came alive, the student applied gentle back-elevator pressure to set the takeoff attitude.
Example Sentence 2
Insufficient back-elevator pressure after liftoff can leave the airplane in ground effect instead of climbing away cleanly.