Plain English Meaning

The side-to-side line through the middle of the airplane that the nose pivots up and down around.

Full Definition

An imaginary straight line running from wingtip to wingtip through the airplane's center of gravity. Rotation about the lateral axis is called pitch and is controlled by the elevator, which raises or lowers the nose.

Context Anchor

Seen in attitude flying when learning how the airplane moves around its three basic axes.

Derivation

Lateral' comes from the Latin 'latus,' meaning 'side.' The lateral axis runs side to side across the airplane, which is why pitching the nose up or down rotates the airplane about this axis.

Why Pilots Care

Pilots pitch by the airplane around this axis, which directly affects , , and .