Plain English Meaning

Changing the shape or setup of the airplane while flying — for example, lowering the flaps or putting the wheels down — which alters how the airplane behaves.

Full Definition

Adjustments made to the physical setup of an aircraft in flight, typically involving the position of flaps, landing gear, cowl flaps, spoilers, or other movable surfaces and systems that change how the aircraft flies and performs.

Context Anchor

Seen in flight training syllabuses, maneuver lessons, takeoff and landing practice, and any discussion of how the airplane is set up during a flight.

Derivation

Configuration comes from the Latin 'configurare,' meaning 'to shape or form together.' In , it refers to how the airplane is currently 'shaped' — up or down, flaps in or — at a given of flight.