Plain English Meaning

It's the way a pilot keeps their eyes moving across the cockpit instruments, checking each one in turn so they always know what the aircraft is doing.

Full Definition

The systematic, continuous visual sampling of flight instruments by which a pilot monitors aircraft attitude, performance, and navigation. An effective scan moves the eyes between instruments in a deliberate pattern, returning frequently to the primary attitude reference, so that no single instrument is fixated on and no instrument is neglected.

Context Anchor

Used in instrument flying and especially in turbulence, when the pilot must rely on the instead of sensations or .