Definition
Flight in which the airplane's controls are used together so that the airplane is neither slipping nor skidding through the air. In coordinated flight, the relative wind meets the airplane straight-on along its longitudinal axis, and the inclinometer ball in the turn coordinator is centered.
Plain English
The airplane is moving cleanly through the air with no sideways skid or slide. The rudder and ailerons are working together so the nose is pointing exactly where the airplane is actually going.
Context Anchor
Used during level turns, steep turns, slow flight, and any maneuver where the pilot must keep the airplane turning cleanly and smoothly.
Derivation
From Latin co- (together) and ordinare (to arrange in order). 'Coordinated' literally means 'arranged together.' In flying, it describes the rudder and ailerons being used together in the right amounts so the airplane moves cleanly rather than crabbing or sliding.
Why Pilots Care
Uncoordinated flight creates extra drag, reduces efficiency, and raises the risk of an unintentional spin if the wing stalls.
Grounding Statement
In a level turn, coordinated flight feels like a clean, smooth turn rather than the airplane sliding sideways through the air.
Intuition Check
Coordinated does not just mean the maneuver looks smooth or well planned. Here it means the airplane’s nose direction and flight path are matched so the airplane is not moving sideways through the air.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor reminded the student to use enough rudder in the turn to keep the flight coordinated and the ball centered.
Example Sentence 2
In coordinated flight the airplane turns cleanly with the ball centered and no noticeable slip or skid.