Plain English Meaning

A practice maneuver where the airplane is flown through two smooth, sweeping turns that draw a sideways figure 8 against the horizon. Pitch, bank, and speed are changing at every moment, so the pilot has to keep the controls coordinated the whole way through.

Full Definition

An advanced training maneuver consisting of two opposing 180-degree climbing and descending turns that together trace a flight path resembling a figure 8 lying on its side against the horizon. Each loop of the 8 is flown with continuously changing pitch, bank, and airspeed, with specific reference points at the 45-, 90-, and 135-degree positions, requiring the pilot to coordinate controls smoothly throughout the entire maneuver.