Plain English Meaning

The airplane is doing what the pilot tells it to do. The pilot is in charge of where it points, how fast it goes, and where it is in the sky.

Full Definition

Flight in which the pilot is actively maintaining the airplane's intended attitude, airspeed, altitude, and heading using the flight controls, with the aircraft responding predictably to control inputs.

Context Anchor

Used in slow flight training, where the airplane is flown near its lower speed range while the pilot proves it can still be handled safely.

Why Pilots Care

Distinguishes between flight the pilot still commands and the onset of loss of control, which is at speeds where margins are small.