Definition
The simultaneous and balanced use of the flight controls — ailerons, elevator, and rudder — so the airplane responds smoothly and flies without slipping or skidding through the air.
Plain English
Using the controls together in the right amounts so the airplane turns and maneuvers cleanly, without sliding sideways.
Context Anchor
You will meet this term when learning basic airplane control, turns, climbs, descents, and any maneuver where more than one control is used at the same time.
Derivation
From the Latin 'co-' (together) and 'ordinare' (to arrange or set in order). In flying, it literally means arranging the controls together — each one doing its share at the same time.
Why Pilots Care
Poor coordination increases drag, reduces performance, and can lead to loss of control or spatial disorientation in turns.
Intuition Check
Coordination does not mean general planning or teamwork here. In airplane flying, it means matching the control inputs so the airplane stays balanced and controlled.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor reminded the student to use rudder with aileron to maintain coordination during the turn.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot checked the turn coordinator and added rudder until the airplane was in coordinated flight.