Definition
A combined maneuver in which the airplane changes both altitude and heading at the same time, performed by reference to instruments alone when outside visual references are lost. The pilot coordinates pitch, bank, and power so that the airplane climbs or descends while turning toward a chosen heading, typically as part of recovering from inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
Plain English
Turning the airplane while also climbing or descending, using only the cockpit instruments to fly it accurately. It is one maneuver, not two — pitch, bank, and power are managed together.
Context Anchor
In Chapter 18, this term appears in the discussion of combined maneuvers a pilot may need to perform by reference to instruments after accidentally entering clouds or poor visibility.
Why Pilots Care
These combined maneuvers let a pilot reverse course or adjust heading without losing altitude control, which is essential for safely exiting inadvertent IMC.
Intuition Check
Do not think of this as simply “turning, then climbing” or “turning, then descending.” In this term, the turn and the altitude change happen at the same time and must be controlled together.
Example Sentence 1
After inadvertently entering cloud, the pilot used a gentle climbing turn on instruments to reverse course and reach the higher minimum safe altitude.
Example Sentence 2
A descending turn allowed the aircraft to lose altitude while reversing course inside the clouds.