Definition
A term used to describe a situation in which an aircraft has deviated from its intended track, route, or flight path.
Plain English
The aircraft is not where it should be along its planned route — it has drifted or strayed from the line it was supposed to follow.
Context Anchor
Used in navigation, instrument flying, and air traffic control communications when comparing the aircraft’s actual path with the path it should be flying.
Derivation
Combines 'off' meaning away from with 'course' from the Latin 'cursus' referring to a path or direction of travel.
Why Pilots Care
Remaining off course increases fuel burn, delays arrival, and risks airspace or terrain conflicts if uncorrected.
Intuition Check
Do not read off course as simply “lost.” In aviation, it means the aircraft is not following the specific path it was supposed or cleared to fly.
Example Sentence 1
After encountering an unexpected crosswind, the pilot noticed the aircraft was off course and corrected the heading to regain the planned track.
Example Sentence 2
The student pilot corrected back onto the airway after the instructor confirmed they were off course.