Definition
The deliberate placement of the flight controls (ailerons and elevator) during taxi to counteract the effects of wind on the airplane, preventing the wind from lifting a wing or pitching the tail. The pilot uses the control yoke or stick to angle the control surfaces so that wind striking the airplane holds it firmly on the ground rather than upsetting it.
Plain English
Holding the yoke or stick in a specific direction while taxiing so that the wind cannot tip, lift, or push the airplane around on the ground.
Context Anchor
Seen during taxiing, especially when wind is coming from the side, from ahead at an angle, or from behind at an angle.
Why Pilots Care
Improper positioning allows wind to raise a wing or nose, leading to loss of directional control or tipping.
Intuition Check
Control positioning does not mean where the cockpit controls are installed. Here, it means how the pilot holds the flight controls during taxi for the wind conditions.
Example Sentence 1
Before taxiing out in the gusty crosswind, the pilot reviewed the proper control positioning for each leg of the taxi route.
Example Sentence 2
In a strong tailwind during taxi, correct control positioning keeps the elevator neutral to prevent the nose from rising.