Plain English Meaning

Looking at your instruments and outside the aircraft in a steady, repeating pattern so you always know what the airplane is doing and whether everything matches up.

Full Definition

The continuous, systematic scanning of flight instruments and outside references to maintain an accurate picture of the aircraft's attitude, performance, and position. A proper crosscheck involves moving the eyes from one instrument or reference to another in a deliberate pattern, interpreting what each is showing, and confirming that the indications agree with each other and with the desired flight condition.

Context Anchor

Used when discussing how pilots maintain an accurate picture of what the aircraft is doing and what is happening around them.