Definition
A mechanical device installed on the ground that physically holds the control column (yoke) in a fixed position to prevent the ailerons and elevator from moving when the airplane is parked. It must be removed before flight.
Plain English
A clamp or pin that locks the yoke in place while the airplane is sitting on the ground, so wind cannot blow the control surfaces around and damage them. You take it out before you fly.
Context Anchor
Seen during the cockpit portion of the visual preflight assessment, when the pilot checks that locks are removed and the flight controls can move freely.
Why Pilots Care
Prevents wind gusts from damaging control surfaces or linkages when the aircraft is parked.
Intuition Check
Do not think of this as a flight control used in the air. A control column lock is a ground-use safety device; it protects the controls while parked and must be removed before flight.
Example Sentence 1
Before starting the engine, the pilot removed the control column lock and checked that the yoke moved freely through its full range.
Example Sentence 2
Strong surface winds overnight made it essential to install the control column lock after the last flight.