Definition
The transition maneuver from a climb or descent to level flight at a chosen altitude, accomplished by smoothly adjusting pitch attitude to stop the vertical movement and then setting power, trim, and airspeed for sustained level cruise.
Plain English
Stopping a climb or descent and settling the airplane into steady flight at the altitude you want to hold.
Context Anchor
Seen during climb training, descent training, and any time a pilot is approaching an assigned or chosen altitude.
Why Pilots Care
A properly timed level-off prevents altitude overshoot, maintains airspeed, and produces a smooth handoff to cruise flight without abrupt power or attitude changes.
Intuition Check
Level-off does not mean simply making the wings level. In this context, it means ending the climb or descent so the airplane maintains the selected altitude.
Example Sentence 1
Begin the level-off about 50 feet below your target altitude so the airplane settles smoothly into cruise.
Example Sentence 2
During the level-off from a 500-feet-per-minute climb the pilot maintained coordination and trimmed for level flight.