Definition
A control technique in which the pilot begins returning the ailerons (and rudder as needed) toward neutral before the airplane reaches the desired heading, so that the bank angle is reduced to wings-level exactly as the target heading is reached. The amount of lead required is proportional to the rate of turn — a steeper bank or faster turn requires more lead.
Plain English
Start rolling out of the turn a little before you reach the heading you want, so the wings become level right as the nose arrives on that heading.
Context Anchor
Used when practicing turns and when turning to a specific heading in flight.
Derivation
‘Lead’ here means to act in advance of something — the same sense as ‘leading’ a moving target when shooting. ‘Rollout’ is the act of rolling the wings back to level after a turn. Together: act early so that the rollout finishes on time.
Why Pilots Care
Prevents heading overshoots during navigation, instrument approaches, and traffic pattern operations.
Grounding Statement
The airplane does not stop turning the instant you start leveling the wings; it keeps turning until the wings are level.
Intuition Check
Do not read lead the rollout as waiting until the exact heading appears, then leveling the wings. In flying, it means starting the rollout before the target heading so the turn finishes on target.
Example Sentence 1
Approaching the assigned heading of 270, the pilot began to lead the rollout so the wings came level just as the heading indicator passed 270.
Example Sentence 2
In a standard-rate turn the pilot learns to lead the rollout so the wings level exactly on the assigned heading.