Definition
A turn performed while the airplane is in a power-off glide, in which the pilot must coordinate bank, pitch, and rudder to maintain the proper glide airspeed and a coordinated turn while the aircraft is descending without engine thrust.
Plain English
Turning the airplane while it is descending with the engine at idle. Because there is no power to help, the pilot has to manage airspeed and balance the controls carefully so the airplane keeps gliding at the right speed through the turn.
Context Anchor
Seen when practicing basic flight maneuvers, during power-off approaches, and when turning toward a selected landing area after a loss of power.
Derivation
Glide comes from an old word meaning to move smoothly. In aviation, it means the airplane is moving forward and downward with little or no help from engine power. That helps separate a gliding turn from a level, powered turn.
Why Pilots Care
Allows a pilot to change direction safely after an engine failure to reach the best available landing area while preserving airspeed and control.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane coming downhill through the air while also changing direction.
Intuition Check
Do not read gliding turns as just “smooth turns.” In this context, gliding means the airplane is descending with reduced or idle power while it turns.
Example Sentence 1
After simulating an engine failure, the instructor asked the student to set up a gliding turn toward the chosen field while holding best glide speed.
Example Sentence 2
Practicing gliding turns at different bank angles teaches how to adjust the rate of turn without gaining or losing airspeed.