Definition
A turn flown at a constant altitude in which the aircraft is properly banked and yawed so that the resulting force on the pilot acts straight down through the seat, with no sideways slipping or skidding.
Plain English
A turn where you stay at the same height and the aircraft is balanced through the turn, so you feel pressed straight down into your seat rather than leaning to one side.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying and spatial-disorientation discussions, especially when describing what the airplane is actually doing versus what the pilot's body may feel.
Derivation
Coordinated comes from Latin co- ('together') and ordinare ('to arrange in order'). A coordinated turn is one where bank and yaw are arranged together correctly, so the aircraft moves cleanly through the turn rather than slipping or skidding sideways.
Why Pilots Care
Prevents altitude loss or gain and eliminates side forces that could lead to spatial disorientation or loss of control in instrument conditions.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane carving a smooth, flat arc through the sky without gaining or losing height.
Intuition Check
Level does not mean the wings are level; in a turn, the wings are banked, or tilted. Coordinated does not mean merely smooth or well planned; it means the airplane is not slipping or skidding sideways.
Example Sentence 1
During a level coordinated turn, the pilot feels increased pressure into the seat but no tendency to lean left or right.
Example Sentence 2
During the holding pattern entry the student kept the turn level and coordinated so the altimeter remained steady.