Definition
A condition in which a movable component of the airplane — typically the landing gear or flaps — is in the process of changing position and has not yet reached either its fully extended or fully retracted state. Position indicators show this state with a distinct light or display (often a red light or a barber-pole symbol) to signal that the component is moving and not yet locked.
Plain English
The part is currently moving from one position to another and has not finished. It is neither fully up nor fully down yet.
Context Anchor
Seen on cockpit position indicators, especially landing gear indicators, when a control has been selected but the part has not yet reached its final position.
Derivation
From the Latin 'transitus,' meaning 'a going across' or 'a passing over.' In aviation, it describes the moment a component is mid-passage between two fixed positions — captured by neither, on its way to one.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms that a commanded change is underway and prevents mistaking an intermediate state for a completed one during critical phases such as takeoff or landing.
Intuition Check
Do not read in transit here as “the airplane is traveling.” In this cockpit context, it means a part of the airplane is moving between positions and has not finished moving yet.
Example Sentence 1
After raising the gear handle, the red 'in transit' light illuminated for a few seconds before the gear-up indication appeared.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot waited until the gear was no longer in transit before reducing power.