Plain English Meaning
A change you make to fix something that has drifted off where it should be — for example, turning slightly to get back on course, or adjusting altitude to return to your assigned level.
Full Definition
An adjustment made to a route, heading, altitude, speed, or other flight parameter to bring the aircraft back to a desired path, value, or clearance after a deviation has been detected.
Context Anchor
Heard on radio calls between pilots and air traffic controllers when a number, instruction, runway, altitude, or other spoken detail needs to be fixed.
Derivation
From the Latin 'correctio,' meaning 'to set straight' or 'make right.' In aviation, the meaning stays close to that root: bringing something back to where it ought to be.
Why Pilots Care
It prevents a mistaken heading, altitude, or clearance from being followed, avoiding confusion and potential safety issues.
Intuition Check
Correction does not mean a written edit or a penalty here. On the radio, it is a cue that the speaker is replacing something just said with the correct information.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot applied a 5-degree correction to the right to compensate for the crosswind and stay on the assigned course.
Example Sentence 2
Turn right heading 180. Correction, turn left heading 180.